Roma: Living the Dream! Past Review
By Samantha L (Psychology/English, Augustana College) for
AIFS: Rome - Richmond in Rome and Internship Program
YES! I feel as though I am a more cultured person and that I have a better understanding of European culture. I feel like this trip has broadened my horizons and has challenged me in many ways. I have learned to be a more go-with-the-flow kind of person and I have a new appreciation for the little things in life. This trip has definitely changed me for the better!
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. |
Since I took a summer program, the classes were more concentrated in time, but I felt that I learned a lot being able to literally see what I was studying from a dorm room just weeks before. The professors were all eager to educate and were extremely informative. They also were very aware of making sure that students got to experience the city, not just stay cooped up in a classroom all day. I can say in confidence that learned a lot. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The director was a little aloof in the 4 weeks that we were there, but the program facilitators were very accessible and friendly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved our housing arrangements! It was fun to have everyone scattered around the city. Our landlord was very sweet and our apartment was clean and well-stocked. Our apartment on Via Boschetto was in a very busy location but also easily accessible from the rest of the city. |
| * Food: |
I'm in Italy.. the food was amazing. Food coupons worked alright. The farewell dinner wasn't as good as it could have been... stick to the Italian basics! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the excursions to Florence and Pompeii, Capri, and Naples. They were very interesting and I felt that I learned a lot about those places. I enjoyed being able to travel with the group because I knew that AIFS put together a good agenda for those weekends and I was able to become better friends with the other students on the trip. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Having the police officer talk to us after arriving in Rome was very helpful. I liked that he included information for girls and how to interact with the men in Rome. It was nice to hear and it helped my friends and I stay safe. The city was safer than I expected. But it was good to be aware of what could happen, too. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I had never taken Italian before, so learning it was a challenge for me. But it was extremely helpful to be able to go out after class and use the words that we had just learned in real life. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program was amazing. AIFS put together a very enjoyable and educational program that did not take away from our independence as students studying abroad. I had never previously been in another country traveling on my own and this program allowed me independence as well as a strong support system with the AIFS program. There were always things to do and see. |
