203 reviews
4.09 / 5 based on 203 reviews
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Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
This experience allowed me to live with and make Italian friends. My italian improved imensely in that period.
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Personal comments
The arrangement that the university made for me did not work out. That is why I chose to live with my Italian friends, and it was an unbelievable experience.
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Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Travel, Activities: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Night spots: Checkers Pub, Shot Cafe, Yab, Central Park, Loonees, Monte Carla, Cafe delle Torre
Cafes: Cafe Brunelleschi, Cardillac, Cafe San Marco
Other places: Pza Michelangelo, Gli Uffizi, I Giardini Boboli
Restaurants: Baacus, I Tre Merli, Il Pinolo, Il Cinghiale Bianco
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Academic
Course recommendations
It was VERY different from the American University system, but this is one of the things that made me learn so much. You make of it what you can, and if you chose not to interact with teachers and other students, then you certainly aren't encouraged to. If you do chose to, however, you benefit. In these courses I did learn an incredible amount about the subject matter, which was very gratifying.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
I was frustrated with Georgetown because they would only give me credits for certain courses, and our courseload in the spring was greater than a normal Italian studen't courseload.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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Languages
Language of instruction: Italian
Was learning Italian a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Italian
How much did you improve your Italian?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
As an Italian major, this was the best experience possible for me. At first I did struggle a bit, but the Italians were so helpful and encouraging, that I quickly improved, The majority of the year I felt extremely comfortable in any situation and greatly enjoyed abandoning my english for the year.
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Overall
I wish I had known...
That I shouldn't have gotten as attached as I did because now I really want to go back to live there.
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In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The classes are DIFFICULT and very different from the American University style. But, if you are aware of that before you go, you will have a great expereince.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
If you are looking for the best cultural experience, it's best not to become part of the American scene in Florence. (It is very large). Speak Italian! Make Italian friends! Don't spend your time travelling like the other Americans do. Spend time discovering what Florence really is and why you are there.
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Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Food: it's much cheaper to get a good meal there, and the supermarkets are really cheap. Telephone: I made more international calls, and the cell phone rates are higher there. Accomodation: Less expensive in Florence than it is in DC, Night Life: Less expensive in Florence than it is in DC, Travel: I had to make a couple trips to the US
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Telephone, Travel:
was more expensive than at home.
Housing, Food, Overall, Nightlife:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
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