and Middle School Education : Testimonials (Florence)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by UGA StudyAway
Final Reflection Questions
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The most significant take-aways would be that no matter where you go you will always be able to find patterns and characteristics that you have in common with people regardless of age, nationality, language, or anything else that may seem to be a barrier. I also found that there was always something to be learned personally and something for me to teach. This experience taught me a lot about my self and how to interact with others. It also taught me to look at things through different perspectives and values. I felt that the one thing that stuck the most for me was the value that I Italians placed on community. Every aspect of their lives revolved or at least encompassed the value of the community. The schools placed emphasis on family and the importance of coming together by having parties and celebrations in the parks for everyone to see and come out and be apart of. They understood the value in purchasing food and goods from small and local stores and businessmen. Even at the work place they showed how much they valued community by consciously making and effort at least once or twice a year to come together outside of work getting to know one another, talking and simply enjoying each others company.
— Christine Baldwin, Maymester 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Getting to be in a classroom abroad as well as living with a family was completely incredible.
— Kathryn Butler, Maymester 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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This program forces you to be bold, as you live with an unfamiliar family and go into a school you know nothing about, all while being surrounded by a foreign language you do not know. This program really helped me grow as an individual and future educator and I am extremely thankful for the many ways it impacted me.
— Kathleen Chancellor, Maymester 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The cultural differences in terms of family and community. Americans overuse and take for granted so many amenities and this became evident as my stay progressed.
— Isabel Insolia, Maymester 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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One of the biggest things I got from my time in Italy is that I can handle things that I didn't think I could. I never would have thought I could go 2 months without seeing my family, live with someone whom I've never met, share a bathroom with those 5 people that I didn't know, travel around Italy and across Europe by myself. I learned so much this summer but one of the biggest things, was I can do anything I put my mind to.
— Amanda Wilson, Maymester 2016 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The relationships that were formed will be ones that last for a lifetime.
— Caroline Desandre, Maymester 2017 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Definitely go!! You might be scared because the aspects of the program are outside of your comfort level, but don't let that stop you. It is truly a wonderful experience and I promise you will regret not going.
— Kathleen Chancellor, Maymester 2016 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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This program was an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely different, exciting, delicious culture while also learning and exploring so much of Italy. You will never find a program that fits so much Italian culture into four weeks.
— Isabel Insolia, Maymester 2016 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Do it! Even if your slightly nervous or hesitant about living with a host family, it is 100% worth it. The families are so welcoming, warm, and hospitable.
— Shelby Warren, Maymester 2016 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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DO IT!!! Don't over think it or worry about, just sign up and go! I was so nervous about the host family, but it was perfect and I'm so glad I didn't let that scare me away from the program.
— Amanda Wilson, Maymester 2016 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Enter into it with an open mind and a willingness to try as many new things as possible.
— Caroline Desandre, Maymester 2017 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Just go!!!! You will have so much fun- you will learn a lot. It is so good to get out of your comfort zone, because that is where you grow the most.
— Alexandra Godwin, Maymester 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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For me this experience taught me that family and the community should be valued a lot more than it is. In the future I plan on taking what I learned in Italy to help make my classroom better by learning how to better include and keep parents as well as he community actively engaged and involved in student learning. I will also use my experience to help me better understand how to properly accommodate to students and their challenges, be it language barriers or anything else. I also dedicate time to making sure kids are well rounded and able to share and learn form each others views and thoughts when discussing different topics; through my experience and time in the classrooms in Italy that the students are more invested and interested in learning when they are allowed to think and discuss together.
— Christine Baldwin, Maymester 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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It taught me so much about the power of language. I have such a better idea of how to have compassion on students who do not speak English. Also, it has shown me the windows of possibility for teaching abroad in the future.
— Kathryn Butler, Maymester 2016 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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This experience made me realize that I chose the right career path! It was truly an amazing experience.
— Shelby Warren, Maymester 2016 |