Wish I could do it again... Past Review
By A student (Economics., College of the Holy Cross) - abroad from 02/01/2013 to 05/18/2010 with
AIRC: Rome - Interdisciplinary Semester in Italy
It is very cliche to say that it "broadened my horizons", but it truly did. It is absolutely worthwhile and I feel bad for people who either don't get the opportunity to go abroad or choose not to.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Darius and Albert immediately worked to integrate the group into the city of Rome and Roman culture by taking a couple days to take us around the city and show us our new neighborhoods. This absolutely eased the initial anxiety of being in a completely foreign city and allowed us to adapt and begin to enjoy the city very quickly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The AIRC program provided fantastic housing arrangements by setting us up right near Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum. By being able to live in an apartment with a few other students, as opposed to a dorm full of students, we were really able to get out of our comfort zone and understand what it truly meant to live in Rome. |
| * Food: |
It is very hard to have a bad meal in Rome. Restaurants and food purchased at local grocery stores is also very affordable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Even though I came in unable to speak any Italian, between our language class and constant questions about Italian culture to Darius and Albert, Rome did feel like a home away from home by the end of the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Rome, relative to other cities in Europe, is not overly exensive |
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? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | Always be open to trying any type of new experience and if you are on the fence about doing it, just go ahead and do it. |
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. |
