Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A step in the right direction and a great introduction to life outside the U.S. Past Review

By (Theatre Arts; Biology, California State University - Fresno) - abroad from 05/23/2012 to 07/07/2012 with

AIRC: Rome - Interdisciplinary Semester in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got to admire the beauty of Rome, learn about it's rich history and enjoy it all with a lot of great people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I loved Il Fate. It was a great welcome meal and a good way to taste some new food. The farewell dinner was all right.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt that perhaps we didn't visit any truly modern Italian cultural areas. I definitely got a cultural immersion in a historical sense. Perhaps the Americanized and touristy areas we visited for meals were the best for our group.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There were no health issues to address.

* Safety:

I felt fairly safe the entire time.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

We found cheap ways to purchase food and whatnot. However, it is a pretty expensive place with the American dollar not what it once was in culture.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find hole-in-the-wall food places. They are often the cheapest and the best tasting. Don't be afraid to explore.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My professors
  • Galleria Borghese
  • Housing
* What could be improved?
  • Food recommendations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I'm not sure. I don't recall.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.