Review Overall Rating
A review on CISabroad - Semester in Florence
Reviewed by Jesse Elmesstudent(University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth) on
The experience was amazing.
Overall, I had an awesome time. I have met amazing people that I will keep in touch with. The Italian culture, people, and food was above and beyond what I expected. Everyone was right; this was the best experience of my life.
Review Details
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Academics
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Program Administration
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Living Situation
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Cultural Immersion
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Safety
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Food
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Social Life
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Health Service
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City Life
My favorite tourist spot was Michelangelo piazza
Other Reviews on CISabroad - Semester in Florence
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Living in Florence
Reviewed by Ariel Folkerts on .
Florence is a beautiful and historic city full of tourists as well as locals. Its difficult to immerse yourself completely because of the amount of foreigners, so finding authentic Italian restaurants and traveling to other smaller cities is a crucial part of experiencing Italian culture while living in Florence. It's a safe city and not overwhelming large.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence I learned a lot from studying abroad
Reviewed by Madeline Rasmussen on .
With a few minor setbacks, my experience abroad has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. While my 3 1/2 months are coming to an end, and I have the feeling that it is time to return home, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. I learned a lot about myself, a lot about other cultures and I learned that I am a citizen in a bigger global community, not just of the United States.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence It was a very fun, enjoyable experience.
Reviewed by George Mack on .
Study abroad was the most fun 4 months of my life. It was great to immerse myself into Italian culture and learn all the customs. I would recommend that anyone who is considering to study about---Do It!
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Quite Satisfactory
Reviewed by James Hiner on .
Overall i enjoyed my time in Florence. Classes were interesting and cool, but i feel like teachers should have a better idea of how teaching is done in the U.S... Just for example, my Italian teacher, gave us tests and quizzes on things we never even went over i class. It was very frustrating because in the states, before tests our teachers tell us exactly what to study to be prepared. Housing was nice but could have used more amenities to make the stay more comfortable. Overall the program was cool, and i was satisfied
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Awesome
Reviewed by Cody Henley on .
My CIS Abroad trip was legendary.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Perfetto
Reviewed by Caitlin Setlock on .
I would suggest studying to every college student!
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Amazing
Reviewed by Michaela Moloney on .
I loved my study abroad and it really opened my point of view in many different ways.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Your time abroad is what you make it
Reviewed by Andrea Morais on .
My experience studying abroad was the most amazing experience I have ever experienced. Sure there were some downfalls along the was but essentially it's up to you to either dwell on then and miss out on the important stuff or ignore the negatives and ejoy your time abroad. I was able to really immerse myself in the Italian culture and make the most amazing friendships that I never expected to make. After arriving at home I realized that studying abroad really does change you and make your appreciate life a lot more. Looking back at those four months I wouldn't change a thing, I gained more than I lost including a better knowlege of the real world and more of a positive outlook on life.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence An Experience
Reviewed by Ariel Folkerts on .
Florence is a beautiful city filled with people from all over the world. Meeting people and meeting other Americans was easy and a great part of the trip.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Florence Spring 2012
Reviewed by Meghan Stillwell on .
Program was good. I wish we could have been immersed in the culture/community more. Really enjoyed the living situation. Never wanted to leave!
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Mediocre
Reviewed by Carly Radist on .
CIS is an okay program but did not prepare me well enough to go abroad. They did not inform me of certain rules at my host school and I was slightly disappointed.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Florence Spring 2012
Reviewed by Ariana Koras on .
CIS was a great program who provided all the necessary information pre-departure and kept us involved in Italy through dinners and fieldtrips!
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Needs to Iron out the Kinks
Reviewed by Benjamin Ginsburg on .
A program where there was always something that went a little wrong. In the end everything was fine and worked out but the program staff was sometimes less than helpful. I liked the program overall
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Great Spring 2012
Reviewed by Alexander Goldstein on .
I had a fantastic time abroad. The kids and staff in the program were great, and the trips they provided were awesome. I especially liked the trip to Panzano and the vineyard, those were highlights of my trip. Everyone was also there to make sure things were going ok, which I appreciate. The only thing that I would say to improve is to have stuff continuously throughout the semester; I think the last CIS led program was to the Ufizzi in early March. If there were a couple more CIS led events in the last 2 months it would have been nice, but otherwise, on a whole, the program and my experience was great.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence La Dolce Vita
Reviewed by Natalie Verduin on .
Living and studying abroad was the best experience of my life, and CIS added to this experience as much as they could.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Problematic Program
Reviewed by Joscelyn Stein on .
While this program had great potential it did not live up to it. While most things worked out in the end, and I did enjoy myself immensely, there were enough problems to make me wonder if I chose the right program. Prior to departure, there were several details that had yet to be explained such as class times and meetings, housing, and other various things. I felt like I had to pick up on a lot as I went along. Throughout the program there were moments where it felt like not everything had been fully planned out and we were just along for the ride. There were clear lapses in communication between CIS and FUA (the partner institution) which left me having to figure out lots of things for myself. In addition, I experienced major housing problems that were not handled in a satisfactory manor. When my roommates and I reached out for help, it felt like no one took initiative to help us. We were treated poorly by the housing department at the local institution, and despite their best intentions, the people at CIS were unable to help us. Having to deal with so many problems put a damper on my study abroad experience.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Really do some research
Reviewed by Janna Nielsen on .
This program had the potential to be incredible, but it had many issues. Before I even left for the summer, I had picked this program because of the classes it was offering. They were cancelled and changed after my money had been paid. Following this, I was always led in circles when I had questions. Most of the time no one could give me an answer or tell me what I needed to do. Even up to the day I arrived I had no idea what I was about to be a part of. I felt very uninformed. The program had a lot of ups as well. We spent a week of very organized travel through Tuscany and we were helped by our on ground coordinator when we needed something. She had to leave after our week of travels though and I do not feel like we were treated the same afterwards. I really believe that one should research the on ground institution as we as the program you are going through. I had a great time in Italy but there were definietly times I was not listened to about many issues that arose. I probably would not recommend this program if asked about it in the future. You can make friends and have fun anywhere but it is not fun to be abroad and be a part of stressful situations like this program put us through.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence I loved every minute
Reviewed by Elizabeth Faglio on .
The program was great however I wish the beginning week of trips was spread throughout the weeks rather than rushed in one week
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Is this real life?
Reviewed by Amanda Blanchard on .
My 4 week submersion into the Italian culture was unreal and I enjoyed every moment of it. I fell in love with Florence and made some amazing friends along the way.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence love of florence
Reviewed by Jaclyn Reveley on .
it was awesome to be in Florence but next time i would go through a different program to meet more people.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Great Summer
Reviewed by Sofia Hernandez on .
The summer in Florence was a good program and a great way to spend my summer.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence My Summer in Italy
Reviewed by jenna papotto on .
Florence was absolutely amazing. I had an awesome apartment right next to FUA! I met so many people and did not want to leave.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence It was a great experience despite a few hiccups.
Reviewed by Bryn Smith on .
Studying abroad was amazing! The cultural introduction week was priceless. I learned so much. I do feel like other programs prepared their students more, but CIS still did a good job.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence One month abroad
Reviewed by Michael Nguyen on .
The trip was an amazing experience and was very enjoyable. There was so much to do in such a little time frame I wish I had stayed longer than a month. Everything went by well, the classes were great, very time consuming at times, the apartment provided a whole lot more than I had imagined. And travelling around was a fantastic experience with little to nothing in terms of complaints. Overall it was a fun time abroad in Florence
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Great Experience
Reviewed by Katey Papin on .
Studying in Florence for the Summer gave me a the unique opporutniy to explore the world and still get credit for my home university. It was amazing all the people I met and the memories i made.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Satisfactory experience
Reviewed by marina dubov on .
Two out of three of my classes were great! the teachers were nice and knowledgeable, however the last teacher was quite rude and lazy. The apartment was too small and started to grow mold, and I was not informed that i wasn't getting a single room that i requested previously. I suggest finding an apartment on your own.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence amazing
Reviewed by codi mimun on .
I loved my classes and meeting new people. such an amazing experience overall
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence My study abroad experience was amazing.
Reviewed by Mallorie Calvert on .
Studying abroad in Florence was a life-changing experience. CIS was a great program to study abroad though and everything was very organized. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in studying abroad.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Florence
Reviewed by Stephanie Hersom on .
CIS did an alright job preparing me for my study abroad experience. They were very helpful when I had questions before I left for Italy but the staff in Italy did not seem readily available to help me. However, I didn't really need any help so it wasn't a problem.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Interesting
Reviewed by Ashton Celec on .
i had a great time meeting and learning new things while I was there. Just felt like everything was very unorganized on my program side and FUA side
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence This program gets the job done
Reviewed by Jillian Weyman on .
Once you're abroad, you don't hear much from CIS, they do not plan trips for CIS students or give you anything on top of what your school provides. It allowed for more freedom once you're away since there aren't tons of meetings or any added structure, which was nice, though I would have liked a warmer welcome since this was my first time abroad. At the end of the day though, they are sufficient with communication, answered all of my questions, and I had a great experience.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Worth It
Reviewed by Amanda Piarino on .
Studying abroad is an experience you will never forget. The friends you make, the culture you experience, or that one roommate that you just can't seem to get along with for whatever reason are things you will never forget. Take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself and you will have a great time, guaranteed. The first few weeks may be hard being away from home, but stick with it. It's definitely worth it.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Can I Come Back Next Semester?
Reviewed by Brooke Morgan on .
After living in Florence for three months, the only word that can describe my experience was "wonderful!" I was fortunate enough to travel to many other places, and every time I came back to Florence, it made me appreciate this city a little more. Florence is the perfect size city and if I could study abroad again, I would chose to come back in a heartbeat.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Overstimulating
Reviewed by Deidre Corda on .
Being in a foreign country is just overstimulating in every way. The food tastes better, the people are interesting, you walk by historical masterpieces every day, you see beautiful and amazing things on a daily basis... the culture, the atmosphere, the possibilities while studying abroad are endless. Studying abroad opens new doors, allows you to make new, amazing friendships and you will grow as a person no matter how "grown" you think you already are.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Florence Fall 2012
Reviewed by Hannah Popick on .
Florence was fun.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Great Experience
Reviewed by Tuyen Le on .
I enjoy my stay and time in Italy. I like the program. I like how the program have the educational weekend field trips.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence I have had been immersed in a new culture and have met life long friends.
Reviewed by Shannen Hartmann on .
Nutella on bread is a staple.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence I had a wonderful experience
Reviewed by Annie Bartholomew on .
I had a wonderful experience abroad but I think that the rooming/ housing could be improved and FUA could be improved.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence A+!
Reviewed by Cecilia Hurdleston on .
Wonderful program. amazing teachers. got fully immersed in the european lifestyle. florence is THE place to study in italy. always something to do here.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence A great experience
Reviewed by Katie Rusnock on .
I had a wonderful experience.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence No complaints
Reviewed by Allison Curtin on .
I really enjoyed my time, but that was mainly because of my roommates and friends. Some members of the staff were helpful, but some people I knew did not receive much help during individual problems. I have no big complaints.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Blessed
Reviewed by Kelly Salerno on .
Such a great experience, I think it should be required to do study abroad. You learn to appreciate everything you and and different cultures. Don't worry about money or trying to fit it. You need to be equipped with a positive attitude and you don't wanna look back saying, "what if?!"
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Studying abroad in Florence was the best decision I made, the people that I met and the experiences that I had could not be replicated anywhere else.
Reviewed by Danielle Boisvert on .
This was an amazing experience and I truly recommend it to anyone who is even considering going abroad. I met some of the most amazing people and traveled to unexpected places like Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Italian culture is one that is so special and unique that it really needs to be experienced while living in the country. I will definitely be bringing aspects of Italian culture back to the United States, like slowing down my overall pace of life.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Great Experience
Reviewed by Patrick O'Connell on .
Had a wonderful time studying abroad
Love Florence University of the Arts
Had a great Apartment
CIS was okay program but i would recommend maybe ISA as your first choice but definitely CIS as your second choice
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence The best time of my life
Reviewed by Kathryn Boeckel on .
Studying abroad was the best, scariest most craziest experience of my life. Being 20 years old going to a foreign country by yourself was probably the scariest part of the whole deciding to study abroad situation. But it was the best choice I have ever made! I have never had so many fun and memorable times within a 4 month period time. The opportunities were endless and I couldn't believe I saw 6 different countries and over 15 cities within such a short time and for a reasonable price! Studying abroad was my best decision and I would do it all over again!
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Pick Florence!
Reviewed by Caitlin Hogan on .
Studying in Florence was the best thing I could have ever done! I got the opportunity to be immersed in a beautiful city and culture while meeting life long friends as well. FUA is a great school, the professors are all really awesome! If anyone was interested in studying in Italy, I would definitely recommend going to Florence and studying at FUA. P.s. if you're hesitant about studying in Italy because you don't speak Italian, don't stress! I didn't and I picked up key words really quickly :)
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Every step of the way
Reviewed by Emily Applegate on .
Everyone on the CIS Italy team was amazing! They really helped make our program the best it could be every step of the way--from preparing us for our trip to extra trips and programs during the semester to helping us wrap up and head back home. I am SO happy I went through CIS... maybe I'll be able to do another program with them in the future!
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Molto Bene
Reviewed by Nadia Chavez on .
I think this experience was great and worth while I would definitely recommend studying abroad to other individuals.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence CIS Florence
Reviewed by Preshia Washington on .
Cool program! This city is amazing!
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence a lot of emails but that was a good thing.
Reviewed by alexis galloway on .
Everything was pretty well put together and I enjoyed my time to the fullest!thanks!
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence An incredible experience with great friends but I could have been on any program.
Reviewed by Sarah Gilkes on .
Being in Florence was incredible- I always knew that I wanted to study abroad in Italy and I'm so happy I did. I made great friends and I really loved the location of my apartment. Honestly the almost all of the courses were what you would expect from study abroad- not rigorous but fun and informative. CIS is nice because it's a small program but otherwise I felt like it didn't really matter what program you were on,
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Unforgettable Semester
Reviewed by Hannah Moffie on .
Florence is the greatest city in the world. The people I met here and the experiences I had were truly unforgettable. I would recommend studying abroad in Florence to anyone. The size is extremely manageable but not too small (I still didn't see everything!) The restaurants are amazing, the views are absolutely gorgeous and the nightlife is fun! This is a perfect place to study abroad and I will remember it all my life.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence The experience on a whole was life changing
Reviewed by Katelyn Kearns on .
The best experience of my life. I am not the same. No matter the program it is amazing
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence Studying abroad was the best experience of my whole life.
Reviewed by Kelly Getchonis on .
Everything that was not an A did not effect my experience at all. I loved every bit of studying abroad and I will cherish the amazing memories I have from it. I learned so much about myself as a person. I gain so much insight and perspective that I will carry with me all through out life.
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence school
Reviewed by Amanda Adler on .
FUA was a great school with very great teachers
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CISabroad - Semester in Florence My study abroad dreams came true through this experience!
Reviewed by Alissa Barron on .
Everyone has certain expectations when they travel and study abroad, but nothing can ever compare to the true experience. I had the best roommates, took inspiring classes, ate amazing food, saw world famous art, and visited the places I've always wanted to see. It's incredible how perfect this semester has been.