England vs Italy - studying abroad Spring 2020
 

Is language an issue? Where in England, where in Italy? Cost will depend on location. Weather will likely be better in most of Italy.

It seems you are asking a global general question when what are relevant is the local environment which is not stated. What is the field of study? Is this a dormitory type of accommodation, a home stay, need to find your own apartment, etc.? Are you spending class time with other students from your school, other foreign students, or with local students?

>>> No, I’m not concerned about language being a problem.
Is this because the study is in English either case or you are fluent in Italian for the Florence program? If you are not fluent in Italian, are you interested in learning or improving your Italian?

greg asked the right questions. If your major has anything to do with art, I'd go to Florence. If your major is in STEM or business, I'd go to Leicester.

Florence is a much nicer place than Leicester.

That's a good idea (art versus other).

A lot of American students do a study abroad that is really just tor an experience, not serious study. Sometimes they are not even in a regular university. For foreign languages, there is an arrangement for study abroad at a university with special language classes for foreigners, which is a good idea if you wanted to learn that language, but that obviously isn't the case here. Some universities market programs for foreigners (whether you get school credit would have to be checked) as it's a good revenue source for them. I think Leicester does that.

I'd choose based on which one was easiest to go other places you want to see, perhaps, if you really want to explore the UK, that would be Leicester. At least it wouldn't be peak tourist season in Florence as the experience wouldn't be very authentic then. But I think Leicester specializes in sciences for their study abroad curriculum so if you were in the arts, I'd choose the other. If you aren't interested in learning Italian at all, I don't see the point of going to Florence, but I'm not a fan of people who go to foreign countries for long term stays without any interest in their language nor wanting to learn it, unless they have to for a job, of course.

Funny. I guess being lucky enough to be somewhere and enjoying oneself isn't enough. It is for me.

I was a psychology major so a fine thing to study. I think something more artsy would be more to your liking so would say Florence. I've been in March and spring is wet and chilly where London in February and March were bone chilling to me. So I'd like milder weather and arts aspect. I'm sure the UK could give you the arts too but its just different in Florence and the surrounding areas. Also consider the exchange rate for sterling pound and euro. The pound has dropped but euro still is slightly a better buy.

My BIL teaches in both the UK and Italy (see also Princeton and Philadelphia in years gone by)

His view on the two university experiences is that generally, the teaching of an Italian degree is just not as good as a British degree.

Yes, I know that will upset some on this site, but that is his opinion.

You will also find that a fair few Italian students are living with their parents, in the city of their University, while in the UK the vast majority will have parents far away. This leads to a different vibe.

The weather will be better in Italy.

Out of interest is it Leicester University or De Montfort, they are very different experiences?

HappyTravlr--That is not the case anymore, at least at some universities. Our son studied in Denmark a couple years ago and all of his engineering courses were taught in English.

gabriellanicoleee-I don't think you can go wrong either either university. This is your last term and with only needing electives, this makes a huge difference. I know when both of our kids were choosing where to go for their study abroad, they went with their gut feeling. It worked out great for both of them. This was fairly recent too, in 2011 and 2015. If you have not already, check with your current university and see if there are any students from there that have gone to either of the ones you are considering. Talk to them and get their input. Our son did that when he was deciding and that was a huge factor that swayed his decision. Plus, he was the only student from his university studying there, which he loved so that he wasn't tempted to stick with friends etc.

FWIW both of our kids are still in touch with friends they met on their study abroad semesters. For our daughter, is has been 9 years and she went and visited one friend last year. Our son had one friend come visit, her first time to the US. You will get back whatever you put into it, which I am sure you already know:)

A major understatement if ever there was one!

Purely based upon the two cities ( and I know Leicester reasonably well from years ago) I would choose Florence. Leicester has little going for it. If you had said London or Birmingham or Manchester or Edinburgh it would have been a different matter.

Leicester? Urghh, I think I'd prefer Swindon over Leicester and that's saying something however I recall student life and looking back at photos of the places I would sleep still astonishes me and ambience and quantity of bars and clubs were of more importance than the architectural beauty of the place. If I was a student I would probably elect Leicester over Florence.

I would ask your college's Study Abroad Office to connect you with students who have been to both programs. That is what my daughter did and why she ended up choosing London over Florence. She had studied Italian and was fully planning on a semester in Florence until speaking with a student who had done the program in London. She had a double major in English and Psychology and was able to arrange an internship at a well known (in the Psychology field) office in London. That internship then helped open other doors for her post-college. Even if all of your psychology courses have been completed, you might base your decision on the quality of contacts you can make in your field depending on your post graduation plans.