Program Reviews

Florence is an incredible, lively city with a lot to offer students. With Athena, it's really easy for students to fit right in and feel at home because Athena takes care of all of the big stuff like housing, class registration, and cell phone rental, leaving students free to devote their time to experiencing and embracing a new culture. While I was in Florence I learned how to make homemade pasta, how to buy groceries from the Mercato speaking only in Italian, where to grab cappuccinos with the locals, what to expect when they say the "fifth floor" (that means I get to haul my booty up SIX floors, not five) and how to shed my own perceptions and embrace those of a different culture. I fell in love with Italy and the Florentine people in four months and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Classes were held Monday though Friday, from 9:20 to 1:00, with a 25 minute break. Classes were conducted entirely in Spanish, and it was strongly encouraged for students to speak to one another in Spanish. This sounds a bit scary at first, but helps you to learn the language faster and better. My host family was wonderful, and provided me with 2 meals a day (breakfast and lunch) and then dinner I would have on my own. This program allowed me to improve my Spanish in the classroom, and then utilize it after class on that street while exploring the city. this program also allowed me to be very independent and do what I want in my free time, but also was there if I needed help or support.