The Best Decision I Ever Made Past Review
By Rachel M (Strategic Communication, University of South Dakota) - abroad from 09/03/2013 to 12/13/2013 with
AIFS: Rome - Richmond in Rome and Internship Program
I learned more about myself than I ever imagined. The relationships I formed while in Rome were incredible. The students in my program bonded so much that we are having a reunion in the US this summer. My outlook on life has changed so much, and I feel like a much more accepting and cultured person. I'm even planning on moving to Europe after I graduate from college! Everyone in AIFS wanted us to have an amazing experience. They planned daily adventures for us to go on if we chose to really gain the most from our semester abroad. I wouldn't change anything about my program. AIFS was the best decision I ever made.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses I took while in Rome included every aspect of life, culture, and history of the Roman people. It was so exciting learning something in class and being able to relate it to my everyday life there. The classes pushed me to work hard while making the material and site visits fun. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Rosanna, Marco, and Daniela are wonderful! I couldn't have asked for better directors. They immediately welcomed us into their family and helped us every step of the way. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our apartment and landlord were great. I loved living in Trastevere, because it was in the perfect location compared to everything else around us. We never had a problem with our apartment, and Claudio our landlord checked up on us often to make sure there were no problems. |
| * Food: |
It's Italy. The food is incredible. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I knew I had begun to blend in with the culture the first time I was confused for a local. I tried really hard to speak the language as much as possible, and I could tell the locals really appreciated my effort. I formed relationships with everyone around me, especially at the places I went to most often. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had one health problem while I was in Rome. I immediately told my program directors, and they made arrangements for a doctor to come meet me at school within 24 hours. The doctor was very helpful and patient. I was able to get medication that day! |
| * Safety: |
Within my group, none of us had any safety issues. Any location can pose danger if you are not smart about things. We always traveled in groups of two or more and never felt unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
My program gave us packets of food vouchers that we could use at most restaurants and grocery stores. It was so nice having the vouchers so I didn't have to try and budget food into my weekly spending. Sometimes, we would have extra vouchers, so we went and used them at the local bars! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Take pictures. You can never have enough. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
