Program Reviews

At UCD I had a lot of down time and only had classes 3 days a week. There was only a final exam and a paper due at the end of the semester, which for me was not fun because you never had homework so as a visual/hands on learner I had to work harder to get a good grade. We lived on campus in dorms with other abroad or local students. All of my roommates were from Ireland and I just loved them. I felt pretty safe walking around campus by myself but going into town alone would never happen because even in groups we ran into some bad situations.

Every day I tried to explore the city and do something different. I never really had a similar day to day experience except for going to class. I think the best thing you can do while abroad is explore and go check out things that you might not normally do. Living in London was the best time of my life! I made some of the best friends I have ever had there. I still stay in contact with my friends from England as well as my friends from the sates. My only bit of advice is to be open to new situations and be adaptable.

API Florence is a fantastic program in so many ways. Everyone lives in apartments in the center of town with other students in the program. I lived right next to Piazza del Duomo (amazing views, let me tell you!). All of the class buildings were centrally located too. All of my non-language classes took us out into the city at least once. In one class, we went out everyday to look at what we had been talking about.

Some of my favorite perks of this program over other were the four day/weekend trips with the program (we did Rome, Venice during Carnevale, Siena, Perugia and Lucca) and the city museum pass. It saved me a lot of money and I could go to the Uffizi or the Boboli Gardens whenever I wanted, no wait, no money, just grab a ticket and head in. The program staff even helped me contact the landlord when a roof tile came loose and we got a small leak during a rainstorm.

During the school year I knew I wanted to study abroad, as many graduates I have talked to along the way said that was the one thing they regret never doing. I was too far into my major meaning if I went during the school year I'd have to push back graduation by a semester. Luckily, I found out API offers a fantastic summer program to fulfill my wish.

I chose Chile over Espana and Europe because of expenses. I've also always been more attracted to the Latin culture due to their inviting, homey attitude. I knew I wanted to improve my understanding and speaking of the Spanish language, as well as gain a strong sense of an outside culture. API sent me to PUCV in Valparaiso, and I was able to accomplish just that. The host family was fantastic. They were so welcoming, kind and caring. The location was great, very close proximity to not only the university, but also the downtown city, the beach, the malls and shops, the local stadium, etc.

Public transportation was great. I was a 2 minute walk from the metro. Taxis, buses, and 'colectivos' (taxis with predetermined routes, meaning much lower cost) literally passed by the doorstep. The highlight, however, is the university. While difficult at times, the classes were a necessary challenge to improve my language skills. The school offers many sport programs that international students are able to join, as well as a gym, weight room, dance/yoga studio, and a computer lab. Off-season classes are taken with international students only. The classes, however, are instructed in Spanish only.

Weekends will be packed with traveling and activities thanks to great on-location API directors. Keep in mind that the work load will be big, and the readings lengthy, but if you really want to boost your language skills and explore a new corner of the world, I recommend this program.

Studying at the University of Leeds through API was possibly one of the greatest decisions I have made in my college career. The thing I loved most about Leeds was that everyone was welcoming of international students on and off campus; someone with an American accent was treated as a student and not a tourist, not something I can say for places like London. Also, it was easy to get involved. The campus had involvement fairs with clubs and organizations for every personality. The best part of my academic experience was that as an English major in England, I wanted to know the British perspective of the authors that I read and I definitely got it. The lectures were very focused and extensive on contextual information about the text. Also, at Leeds Uni, English majors are actually English and Theatre Studies majors. On my home campus, the English and theatre departments are far from collaboration which I find unfortunate. As luck would have it, one of the theatre professors here used to be the theatre director at Leeds. I took one of his colleague's classes which is also where I met most of my friends. In this class too I learned what theatre majors back home don't: how to read a play with literary analysis; I learned what English majors don't back home: how to portray what we find in the text on stage. I thought it would be difficult to make friends, but I knew that if I was friends with theatre majors back home, I would be in Leeds too. I can't wait to go back and visit, and I wish I could study with API again who were very generous with their support.

My family was amazing! I lived in a little complex of 5 different houses. Most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins lived there. I would wake up with my breakfast, which consisted of fresh fruit and/or toast with jelly and a coffee, set out on the counter for me. Any clothes that my mom had washed would also be set out, already folded, and ready for me to put into my room. She washed clothes every single day, and if I didn't have time to make my bed before class she would take care of it.
I would go to class (and eat more fresh fruit and coffee and the Instituto) and go back home. As soon as I was ready to eat lunch all I had to do was ask my grandma or aunt and one of them served it to me. I would either go back to the instituto for more class or stay home and exercise or do homework until my mom came home from work and my cousins from school. We would then have an afternoon snack with coffee and then spend time just talking, watching T.V., or playing soccer together until supper time. Supper was usually a huge meal where almost everyone gathered, and sometimes there were up to 17 people! After supper, we usually watched an hour of T.V. and then they all went to bed at about 9. Although early, it worked out alright because that was when I usually went to my room to either do more homework or go online and chat with my friends back home.

On a majority of the weekends a group of us students would go on a weekend trip to a beach, a waterfall, or a national park. The bus there and back was cheap, and we were able to find many cheap hostels to stay at. We would explore or relax during the day and at night go out. One of the negatives was that we were all scared to walk at night (even when things were located closely) so we always had to call a taxi which eventually did add up.

My travel abroad program with API was one of the best experiences (if not the best), that I have had thus far in my life. I not only made friendships that will last a lifetime but I got to know an entirely new culture, go on excursions, enhance my language skills, and learn how to handle difficult situations with a foreign country! While I was abroad, towards the end of my trip, I had an unfortunate encounter with a dog. I was attacked while walking home one night and bitten through my pants. The dogs bite broke through my skin and I was than required to have a series of rabies shots and visits to the nearest hospital. I was able to call my API director (onsite) even though it was late that night and she answered right away. She went with me to some of the hospital visits as well as my host family. My API director (Karla), made sure I was healthy, and she supported me through the entire process! She was fantastic. This is just one of the many instances where API truly came through, and made my experience the best it could be.

I studied abroad for the academic year, 2011-2012, with API in Krakow, Poland. Before going I was worried about signing up for a year long program but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I wish I could have even stayed longer! I lived in a gorgeous city with so much to do everyday! I never got bored or wished there was more to do. I would attend classes a few days out of the week and the other days I would explore the city or travel. Krakow offers a large night life scene with something for everyone! If you want to just sit and relax to dance the night away, Krakow has the place for you. As well, API was great with setting up fun and educational excursions. Being a year long student, some of the excursions were the same but I opted to attend them both! The API on-site adviser was fantastic! He was so much fun to be around and he made sure everything was perfect for us! I definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants a cheaper route and to explore a country that isn't as popular as others.

API is AMAZING. This time last year, all I knew was that I wanted to study abroad. I had no idea which program to choose, so I began my search by looking at websites such as this. Thankfully, I was convinced by a review on a website much like this one. I am now hoping to do the same for someone else. I honestly don't know how I could have had a more worthwhile or life changing experience through a different program. It was the perfect amount of supervision with the staff and freedom with my peers. I had so much fun taking in the culture and history that I could while still feeling safe and secure. My apartment in Florence was literally five steps away from The David. I'm actually half-wishing I wasn't writing this review right now because it's making me upset that I can't go back.
First of all, the apartments are AMAZING! Talk about the complete Italian experience. I was prepared to be living in a tiny one-room apartment with six other girls, but they are very spacious with many rooms, a living room, fully equipped kitchen, and two bathrooms! We had absolutely no problems. We were also in a building with other Italian neighbors which really helped assimilate you to the environment. The ONLY thing is that if you are there in the summer, it gets HOT!! I mean, we were literally melting during a couple nights. So I would highly recommend bringing something to help you cool down (a wet towel and water bottle for me did not suffice). I know some had air conditioning, but our particular unit did not.
I took Foundation Oil Painting (I'm a Nursing Major) and it was SO much fun! It wasn't too challenging. We got to listen to music in class, it was so relaxing and I learned so much!
The food is AMAZING (OF COURSE)! Gusta Pizza is a must. So is the very first gelato shop you come to when you cross the Ponte Vecchio (GET PINEAPPLE GELATO--it is the best here!) Everywhere else is equally delicious, of course. Also, did I mention there is a Secret Bakery? YES. a Secret Bakery. It is only open at night, and there is no sign. If you're lucky, sometimes you can follow your nose (of find some other wanderers at night) to the frosted glass doors where you knock three times and wait for the most delicious treats to be secretly brought to you! One of my favorite memories was searching for the Secret Bakery!
I also felt very safe in Florence. There were a couple of times when my roommates would leave our doors unlocked at the apartment, but nothing was ever stolen. I DO know a couple of students that were with us who were pickpocketed as we were out at night, so I would just recommend having a side purse that you can always have your eye on, or just keep your money in a front pocket where no one can reach it. Never bring ALL of your money or credit cards with you. It does get a little creepy at night, as some italians do tend to whistle at you and/or walk behind you. I always stayed with at least one other person. If you just ignore them they usually give up, and nothing ever happened beyond that. Besides a couple of whistles at night, there was nothing else that caused me to feel unsafe!
Overall, I couldn't have done it without the API advisors. I loved going on all of the excursions each weekend (Cinque Terre, Rome, Padova, Verona, Venice--all included in tuition) and I loved talking to the advisors. They were all so nice and hilarious. They also lived right around the corner, so if you ever needed them, they were just a few steps away. Another one of my favorite things about the program was the group cooking class. We all went to a giant kitchen where we all learned to cook a three course meal (we got all the recipes afterwards). Studying abroad is best and worst thing you can possibly do. It's a life changing experience: once you're home all you want to do it go back. I encourage you to Study Abroad and guarantee that you can't go wrong with API! I wouldn't trade the memories or friendships for anything.

I imagine this is a problem for any program in Florence, but there is very little immersion with API and LDM.

API is great if you have never been abroad before and are nervous, but I felt there was almost too much hand holding.

The accommodations are extremely nice. We had a huge apartment right downtown, within close walking distance of classes... and in a building full of other American students. Yes, the social life can be great, but I didn't go to Italy just to party with other Americans.

The same goes for the classes. The subjects are really interesting, there is some challenge but they aren't overly difficult, but all the other students are American. I had one Mexican girl in my Intermediate Italian class, and the rest were Americans. There is no difference of perspective, except perhaps from your teachers (at least most are Italian).

Overall, there is a lot of support in this program, great housing, interesting classes, and little cultural immersion. My Italian only improved because I had some previous study, my professor was challenging, and I traveled a lot and stayed with Italians (luckily, my roommate had relatives still living in Italy).

Too many of the students go with closed minds and spend all their time partying in Florence's clubs with other Americans and the Italians who party there just to meet Americans. Then they sit and complain that they can't split checks when they go out to dinner or that things aren't exactly like America. I have nothing against sorority girls from Long Island, but they seemed to make up 75% of the students and they had no interest in having any kind of an authentic experience.

Lastly, this is a pretty expensive program. It includes a lot of field trips, including an overnight one in a hotel, but I would have rather paid less and just done those trips on my own. (Again, more hand holding.) The housing must also be extremely pricey. I wouldn't mind living a little further out of the city around actual Italians. I was prepared to live in a tiny apartment, not a gigantic loft.

All of these views are from my experience in Spring 2007, so perhaps things have changed. Just my opinions.