Lorenzo de' Medici: Florence

I studied in the fall of 2021. The campus itself was spread all around Florence, which sometimes made it tough to make it from class to class in time. That is really my only complaint, though! They had free cooking classes (outside of classes for credit) and free mental health services which was a huge bonus. Overall, I had a really great experience!

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Going abroad with Florence API and studying at Lorenzo D'Medici was the best decision I've ever made. I met amazing new people, saw some of the greatest sights I've ever seen, and learned so much more about my family's heritage. I've made friendships that will last a lifetime. Going abroad has also led me to API ambassadors, a leadership program where I get to talk and inspire others to follow in my footsteps. Going abroad gave me everything I didn't know I needed until I experienced it first hand.

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As a fashion major, it made most sense to do a program where I could get credit for a fashion class. I took a fashion illustration class and I feel as though my skills have definitely improved greatly from the course. I made so many new friendships and I have a new desire to do way more traveling. I had a great time getting to know people in the program and everything went very smoothly!!

I had always wanted to go to Italy and being able to take a cooking class there is what really sold me. I didn't go to study a specific subject, but I enjoyed the classes I did take, Social Psychology and Current Trends in Italian Cuisine, very much. I had a great experience! I loved my professors and felt very well taken care of by LdM. I learned how to communicate with people and get around a country where I didn't speak the language. I also learned a lot about Italian and European culture.

LdM, with their insane bureaucracy, unfair policies, and rude staffers, almost caused me to lose all of my credits for the semester, AND almost lose me $300. Although I missed 3 of my classes because of the flu (AND provided doctors notes), I was given a failing grade. When I asked for help from the dean and my advisers, they sent me back automated emails and refused to speak to me over the phone or in person. It was only when I threatened to file an affidavit that they gave me my grades. Now, as of today, it's been THREE months since I came home and my university still doesn't have my grades. Because of this, I was marked as a dropout in the system, and the bank started coming after me to pay my loans back even though I haven't graduated yet. My classmate almost lost her job because LdM still hasn't transferred her credits, and my other classmate was given the WRONG credits, forcing her to either submit a petition, or take an extra year to graduate; the latter meaning all of her money and time was for nothing. IN ADDITION, LdM was 2-3 months late to give everyone back their housing deposits ($300). There was no information as to where any of our money was, or why it was late, and nobody would answer anyone's questions. In the past few weeks, with all of these very serious issues going on, I have had ZERO (0) resources available to me to solve this problem. The dean is (supposedly) out of office for the whole summer, nobody at the front desk is competent enough to help me, or to transfer me to someone who will. When I call the Austin office, they can't help me because LdM hasn't communicated anything to them either. Although I had a lot of fun living in Florence and making art, and I loved my professors and classes a lot, I think I would have been much better off choosing another program in Florence besides LdM. Right now, my (and all my classmates) credits are at stake, and even though some of us got our housing deposits back, it was 2-3 months late, AND not everybody has it back yet. Everybody was rude, unsympathetic, and didn't help at all. I felt alone, anxious, and powerless all semester, and all summer after I came home. Please don't go to LdM. Florence is great, but pick another Florence program instead.

Anytime away from home is a time for personal growth because it allows you to figure out how to do things on your own. It also allows you to figure out how to manage your time well in terms of academics in order to earn the grades that you want. In essence, studying abroad gives the student time to live life independently compared to home and therefore learn how to balance their social and academic lives all while trying to make the best of their time in a different country. I attended to take classes that would count for my humanities credits. I had taken AP European History class in high school and I loved learning about the Renaissance. When I found out I could study in the birthplace of the Renaissance, I decided that I wanted to go! I learned many things during my time abroad at LdM. Some of them were more technical like learning to read maps or learning to navigate the train stations, and others were more personal, like dealing with the highs and lows that studying abroad brings. My experience was one that allowed me to figure out who I was away from the influences of my day to day life back at home. I got to try new things and meet new people as well as explore new places. There are many moments that I will remember for a long time. From participating in the Soccer Club every Monday night to meeting new people throughout the semester and exploring Florence as well as Europe, it will be a long time before I forget these events. But the most important memory of my time abroad was just getting to hang out with my roommates while we played cards and listened to music on full blast in our kitchen. It was a relaxing time where, despite everything going on in our lives, we could come together and just enjoy ourselves while playing a game of Spades or Idiot.

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I felt very supported throughout my experience through all of these resources. I loved the class schedule - I had afternoons free. I did intend to take fashion courses for my major, but they were not being offered for winter so I did end up taking a culinary course which I loved! I have also made life-long friends and we will always share those memories. I learned that traveling alone is okay and that you will make your way. I gained a wonderful experience that I will never forget.

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I took two marketing classes, for my major, two communications classes, for my minor, and a cooking class. They were all interesting and the teachers gave out assignments that will be beneficial for my future career. It was a once in a lifetime experience for me. I loved the teachers, classes, Florence, and Italy. I will always value my experience there and didn't want to leave. You learn a lot just by being put in an environment that you aren't necessarily used to. Ya'll are amazing. Keep it up.

I gained confidence from navigating a foreign city, it definitely forced me out of my comfort zone. I had the most incredible experience at LdM. The friends I met, the professors I had, the city I was in were all exceptional. I felt safe and secure at LDM at all times. Our first apartment had issues with the boiler and the Housing staff were so good at helping us with our issues and moving us into another apartment.

I loved my professors, all of them were amazing. My stats teacher helped me after class with planning my fall break trip and I will never be more thankful to him. I always felt safe throughout Florence. I felt at home. I hope that I will remember every single moment. I had such an amazing time. This experience changed my life for the better. It was rough sometimes because I was homesick but overall it really changed how I view life and relationships. I no longer want to live in the U.S. for the rest of my life and I decided to minor in Spanish because of it (because I feel the need to be like the rest of the world and know at least two languages). But if I had to pick an experience (that I will remember forever) it would be all of my fall break. I decided to go to Budapest, Belgrade, Athens, and Thessaloniki. Every country that I went to I met amazing and down to earth people. I will remember the relationships that I made there because they were short but extremely significant to me. The professors were really cool and down to earth. The staff was equally as cool and very helpful. LdM Austin was extremely helpful and 95% of the time responded the day that I contacted them, if not the next day. I feel like I matured significantly through this experience. It taught me that I can be independent. It taught me how to travel. It taught me how to be more outgoing, to interact with random people wherever I’m at. It taught me that for the most part people, even complete strangers, are kind and will help you if need be. It overall gave me a new perspective on the world.

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I never thought that I would get the opportunity to go to Italy, let alone study abroad. Through LDM I was able to do both with my sister and my best friend, and I am so thankful for it. Everyday, we went on a new adventure, and tried something new. I was able to learn a lot about my Italian culture and about myself, and I have taken away a lot of lessons of what I have learned that I will always remember. Through my time studying abroad I have memories that will last me a life time, and friends from all around the country that I will never forget. Studying abroad was a once in a life time experience and I am so happy that I did it, and would do it again in a heart beat.

An absolute blast studying in Florence. Not so much studying but a lot of traveling and exploring to European world.

The teachers are very good, I am loving the school. I love living the Italian life, because all the Italian friends I've made. Maybe they should give you an Italian buddy, to introduce you more to the culture and life.

The school, Lorenzo de Medici, is incredible. Teachers and advisors do everything they can to help you succeed as a student. They truly care about each student. Also, they try to set up a wonderful apartment for my roommates and I. However, I did not feel like I truly learned the Italian culture. I feel if I went to a school mixed with students from all over the world it could have helped. I still love my experience overall.

Classes were a little too early, but I still loved it and had a great time. I'm upset that I have to leave soon, but I hope I'll be able to come back in Europe within the next three years.

Awesome!

Best decision ever!

Most amazing decision of my life! Couldn't imagine life without it. I love Europe!

This has been a great experience!

Love it!