Florence- Fun and Fleeting Past Review
By A student (St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 01/22/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
WorldStrides Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, absolutely. I have a small hesitation in saying that I would choose the same program again, only because Italy may not have been the best fit for me. I am an English major, and though I was able to get credit for the Literature and Writing classes that I took while abroad, I think the atmosphere of England, Scotland, or Ireland may have been more fitting for me. Having said that though, I became much more independent while abroad and despite being fairly homesick, I found my experiences to be educational, fun and completely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None in Italian, Beginner's German, Beginner's French, Four years of Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Meet locals. Go to restaurants- waiters and staff were very kind and wanted to help us speak well and correctly. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How comfortable I would become with my surroundings in the end. |
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