For Prospective Students
2006-12-04
For Prospective Students
Here is a list of things that a recent prospective student asked me. I though it may be useful to other students considering studing abroad in Florence with Study Abroad Italy:
**If you are looking at coming to Florence, be warned that the school is tailored to art students (photography, art, etc.) In normal classes that could be taken back home I have found grading to be subjective and both classes and professors frustrating.**
Why did you choose SAI? It was affiliated with my university, my friend Zena and I wanted to study abroad together, and it offered classes in Florence, Italy, while staying in apartments
What are the best things about the program? The worst? Best-studying in Florence and trips (some free) that we are encouraged to participate in; Worst-going into the program thinking there would be students from all over the world and only finding them from America.
What are the best things about the school? The worst? Best-Art and photography students learn from wonderful professors. Worst-not all of the teachers know what they are talking about and many have a language barrier and grade subjectively. The library is a joke and wireless does not always work at the school.
What classes are you taking? How are they? I am taking beginning Italian (my professor is wonderful,) contemporary anthropology of Italy (very informative and worthwhile while studying abroad,) public relations (Italy practically doesn't have pr so we just write newspaper articles online,) ethics (my professor is subjective, teaches us like high schoolers, talks down to all our opinions and grade subjectively,) and Italian Renaissance (interesing class to take in Florence, but the professor is not a good teacher and the class is awkward)
Are you/ how much Italian are you taking? I am taking a beginning Italian class that meets twice a week for about an hour each time
Do you like the Italian classes? Some students do not enjoy their Italian classes, but I adore my Italian teacher and he makes it interesting.
What is your apartment like? It is at the top of the apartment building. There is a buzzer if we forget our keys. I live with three other girls in a cozy apartment. We have gas stoves, a clothesline for a dryer, have to handwash and there is mold growing in our bathroom. You can hear everything going on in other apartments.
Would you say an apartment is the best option or staying with a family if that is possible? I enjoyed staying in an apartment for the added freedom, but if you really want to master a language I would stay with a family if you do not mind losing freedom of going out, etc
Are you staying just for a semester? Yes
Do you know anybody planning to stay for the spring too? I know of one person
What is Florence like, do you think you choose the right city? Florence is like a Renaissance Disneyland and unlike any other place I have visited. It is practically free of American, or any other, culture. After visiting Rome and Milan I am sure that I picked the right place. It still revolves around its Renaissance past, is very small and walkable and is not overwhelming like Rome. It feels like home.
Was the application process difficult? Not at all. SAI made the process pain-free
How was the proces for getting a visa, did SAI help? It was optional to have help with a student visa through SAI. It costed a lot, but I had to go thorough them since I had an internship in D.C. for the summer. They took care of everything, although they did not ship my materials back to me even though it was about $180 for them to process it. I would reccommend that you do it by yourself ahead of time if at all possible, because then it is free.
Is SAI helpful while studying abroad? I never went to them for anything, but I think they would have helped.
How do you think SAI compares to other study abroad companies in Florence? I only know of other programs that go through actual schools. I thought it was a beneficial program overall.
Is there any pictures of your apartment/the school, anything that would help me evaluate the program better? I have pictures throughout my blog.
Are there any other things I should know, that I would not know to ask? I would bring my laptop abroad along with plenty of movies while being away from home. Shipping is very expensive here, so pack clothes that you would not mind getting rid of for the trip back home because you will probably buy clothes here.
Is there anything you wish you someone had told you about SAI, the school, or studying abroad in general? I wish I had known more about the program. Florence does not have much of a nightlife, and the nightlife that does exist that Americans go to is only safe in numbers. Lots of girls especially have gotten into a lot of trouble. If a man wants to talk to you here, it is probaby not to have an intellectual conversation, especially when you can barely understand each other. There are a lot of things about the Italian culture I did not know about. Men that go out are usually Albanians and very sketchy. Men will call out to you no matter how good or bad you look. There is safety in numbers. The trains in Italy rip you off, especially when compared to every other county in Europe. People are not very friendly. Men are not dark and mysterious. The women are petty. The older people are darling. You have to be ready for everything and anything in Italy. For a majority of the students, after going out awhile students either keep on going out and getting into risky situations or stay in their mini-Americas with other students. I highly advocate traveling as much as possible. Florence is a good homebase and there are safe flights out of Pisa. Get a 10 day youth flexipass for the Eurail before you leave for the week vacation. Plan ahead when you travel. Use www.hostelworld.com to book hostels before you go. The North of Italy is very expensive compared to the South...plan vacations to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, etc for cheap weekend trips. There are several other things I could mention, but I would suggest to read through my blog because I cannot recall them all!
For Prospective Students
Here is a list of things that a recent prospective student asked me. I though it may be useful to other students considering studing abroad in Florence with Study Abroad Italy:
**If you are looking at coming to Florence, be warned that the school is tailored to art students (photography, art, etc.) In normal classes that could be taken back home I have found grading to be subjective and both classes and professors frustrating.**
Why did you choose SAI? It was affiliated with my university, my friend Zena and I wanted to study abroad together, and it offered classes in Florence, Italy, while staying in apartments
What are the best things about the program? The worst? Best-studying in Florence and trips (some free) that we are encouraged to participate in; Worst-going into the program thinking there would be students from all over the world and only finding them from America.
What are the best things about the school? The worst? Best-Art and photography students learn from wonderful professors. Worst-not all of the teachers know what they are talking about and many have a language barrier and grade subjectively. The library is a joke and wireless does not always work at the school.
What classes are you taking? How are they? I am taking beginning Italian (my professor is wonderful,) contemporary anthropology of Italy (very informative and worthwhile while studying abroad,) public relations (Italy practically doesn't have pr so we just write newspaper articles online,) ethics (my professor is subjective, teaches us like high schoolers, talks down to all our opinions and grade subjectively,) and Italian Renaissance (interesing class to take in Florence, but the professor is not a good teacher and the class is awkward)
Are you/ how much Italian are you taking? I am taking a beginning Italian class that meets twice a week for about an hour each time
Do you like the Italian classes? Some students do not enjoy their Italian classes, but I adore my Italian teacher and he makes it interesting.
What is your apartment like? It is at the top of the apartment building. There is a buzzer if we forget our keys. I live with three other girls in a cozy apartment. We have gas stoves, a clothesline for a dryer, have to handwash and there is mold growing in our bathroom. You can hear everything going on in other apartments.
Would you say an apartment is the best option or staying with a family if that is possible? I enjoyed staying in an apartment for the added freedom, but if you really want to master a language I would stay with a family if you do not mind losing freedom of going out, etc
Are you staying just for a semester? Yes
Do you know anybody planning to stay for the spring too? I know of one person
What is Florence like, do you think you choose the right city? Florence is like a Renaissance Disneyland and unlike any other place I have visited. It is practically free of American, or any other, culture. After visiting Rome and Milan I am sure that I picked the right place. It still revolves around its Renaissance past, is very small and walkable and is not overwhelming like Rome. It feels like home.
Was the application process difficult? Not at all. SAI made the process pain-free
How was the proces for getting a visa, did SAI help? It was optional to have help with a student visa through SAI. It costed a lot, but I had to go thorough them since I had an internship in D.C. for the summer. They took care of everything, although they did not ship my materials back to me even though it was about $180 for them to process it. I would reccommend that you do it by yourself ahead of time if at all possible, because then it is free.
Is SAI helpful while studying abroad? I never went to them for anything, but I think they would have helped.
How do you think SAI compares to other study abroad companies in Florence? I only know of other programs that go through actual schools. I thought it was a beneficial program overall.
Is there any pictures of your apartment/the school, anything that would help me evaluate the program better? I have pictures throughout my blog.
Are there any other things I should know, that I would not know to ask? I would bring my laptop abroad along with plenty of movies while being away from home. Shipping is very expensive here, so pack clothes that you would not mind getting rid of for the trip back home because you will probably buy clothes here.
Is there anything you wish you someone had told you about SAI, the school, or studying abroad in general? I wish I had known more about the program. Florence does not have much of a nightlife, and the nightlife that does exist that Americans go to is only safe in numbers. Lots of girls especially have gotten into a lot of trouble. If a man wants to talk to you here, it is probaby not to have an intellectual conversation, especially when you can barely understand each other. There are a lot of things about the Italian culture I did not know about. Men that go out are usually Albanians and very sketchy. Men will call out to you no matter how good or bad you look. There is safety in numbers. The trains in Italy rip you off, especially when compared to every other county in Europe. People are not very friendly. Men are not dark and mysterious. The women are petty. The older people are darling. You have to be ready for everything and anything in Italy. For a majority of the students, after going out awhile students either keep on going out and getting into risky situations or stay in their mini-Americas with other students. I highly advocate traveling as much as possible. Florence is a good homebase and there are safe flights out of Pisa. Get a 10 day youth flexipass for the Eurail before you leave for the week vacation. Plan ahead when you travel. Use www.hostelworld.com to book hostels before you go. The North of Italy is very expensive compared to the South...plan vacations to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, etc for cheap weekend trips. There are several other things I could mention, but I would suggest to read through my blog because I cannot recall them all!
Labels: Advice
posted by Alyssa at 11:57 PM
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