PERSONAL GROWTH! Past Review
By Zenya Capellan (University of Tampa) - abroad from 01/29/2018 to 05/11/2018 with
AIFS: Rome - Richmond in Rome and Internship Program
I was nervous for typical things like I wouldn’t meet anyone I connected with or I would feel like the odd one out, but most people in your abroad experience are feeling the Sam way and embark on the journey on their also. I already felt like I was a friendly person who didn’t struggle to make friends, but this experience really made me turn into someone who can talk to anyone in the room confidently. Dealing with foreign language barrier and cultural differences paved a way for me to grow and expand my horizons. This experience was worth every penny.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The university followed a different academic system than I was accustomed to. My grade consisted of a mid-term exam, final exam and a research paper. It was different than my American courses where attendance, homework and participation is part of my grade to help boost me up. It was an adjustment however, the professors were more than happy to help me with any of my struggles and questions. They really did try to be accomodating to us, and make sure to give us tips and suggestions on how to be successful in the course |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very hands-on, and we were a nice close community. I felt as if they really cared about me, my academics, and well-being. It was refreshing to be greeted with such hospitality in an academic setting. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We were given the option of either a homestay or an apartment, and the program places you accordingly. I chose an apartment, and lived in a 3 bedroom apartment with 4 other girls (so 5 of us in total) with 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, and washing machine. I never once felt unsafe in my neighborhood, and had everything I needed within walking distance. The commute to school was not either, walking by the St. Peter's basilica everyday, and seeing numerous churches and piazza's on the way. |
| * Food: |
I was in Italy, even the worst food was still pretty good. A lot of places speak english now, and even started taking card. The food was probably one of the best things about Italy, and the abundance of it was overwhelming. It is pretty easy to order food and to go get groceries in italy/rome. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt pretty integrated just with the basic fact that I actually had to use my Italian that I was taught quite often. Our program always have social and cultural activities/tours planned at least once a week. I attended a great portion of them, and really got to see some "off the beaten road" sites, and just all the major tourist attractions. It made it special because I was experiencing things that locals do, or eat and feeling a sense of beloning. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was not sick, but the health care was pretty good. They have a service provided to us where we can download an app, and chat with a doctor in real time, in case we were not feeling well. If needed, we were able to request a doctor visit on the app, and the doctor would visit our house and diagnose, and prescribe whatever medication is necessary. The cost of the doctor visit is 50 euro, and it seems like a lot but it is very scary being sick in a foreign country. My roommate had bronchitis and some kind of infection and called the doctor, who came to our house and prescribed her medicine and helped her treat what was wrong with her. Also, the strength of medicine is a real game changer and something to look out for, because things may be stronger or weaker depending on where you go. And accessibility to things that are over the counter vary by place. |
| * Safety: |
Rome is known for being a city of pick-pockets, but as long as you're smart you're fine. I never felt unsafe or in danger of being pick-pockted nor did it happen to me. I just made sure to not have things of value in my pocket, or if i did I had a zippered pocket. I also made sure that I kept my purse in front of me at all times, and that it was not out of sight, and it was a zipped purse. It makes it harder for someone to slip their hand in your zipped purse. I avoided backpacks as often as i could or would put it in front of me when walking in Large crowds. Also trying to blend in is really important. Pick-pockets can tell who is a tourist and you're more at risk of being pick-pocketed. Just be smart and cautious and you'll be okay anywhere you go |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Throughout my entire process of applying to leaving Italy, AIFS was amazing and very responsive to all my needs and questions. I could not have asked more a better hands on program that made me feel safe, protected, yet let me have my own room to grow at the same time in Rome. The amount of cultural and social activities that AIFS and Richmond provided me enriched my experience, and I am forever grateful for having the experience of being able to live out my dreams for four months. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could. |
Finances
|
* 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) |
I opted out the meal plan, and ate out about every meal, and occassionally went out for groceries. I found it to be the same or even cheaper to be in Europe than in my college in the states. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Always make sure to check if your bank charges international fees, or if you have a partner bank abroad you can deposit money from without being charged. Bank fee's are not a lot but they do add up after a while and you want to be easy on your bank account. Another tip related to money, pay with cash when you can because it is safer and can end up saving you money so you are not charged for converting the euro amount into dollars. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
They would encourage us to speak or at least use greetings everywhere we went. The staff even taught us several phrases and sayings so we could learn, but it was not always pushed on us to speak or learn Italian. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Always try to speak their native language. It doesn't matter if they respond to you in english or if you mess up, they will appreciate you trying and may even help you. I always found it to be a great way to get better service in restuarants and they appreciate you more for taking the time to learn italian. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how life-changing it would be. It is cliche to hear someone call their study abroad experience "life-changing," however it really was. I saw things I only ever dreamed of seeing, and got to do and say things I thought were never possible. I got to live my life in another perspective, and it literally changed how I saw most things in my life and how I viewed other cultures and lifestyles. I grew a deep appreciation for other cultures, especially the Italian one. The heartache of leaving was hard, but I am so lucky to have had such a good experience and had a place like Rome that made saying see ya later (NOT GOODBYE) so painful. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
