Rewarding, but difficult Past Review
By A student (Villanova University) - abroad from 01/23/2018 to 05/12/2018 with
Arcadia: Rome - Arcadia in Rome
Learned to be independent. Yes it was worth it, but never again
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. |
Felt that the hardest part was the language barrier and the style of teaching being so different from that in the states |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Zero connection to students I felt. Never felt comfortable going to them if I needed advice or assistance. Felt like I was on my own. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Could have been in a better location. |
| * Food: |
I cooked, no food was provided except two dinners, a welcome and a farewell |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Forced to interact due to location |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Never experienced, but if I had to I wouldn't know what to do because we were told public doctors were good enough, but no other info was relayed. |
| * Safety: |
Felt like i was in a dangerous neighborhood, but outside of the neighborhood, the city was fine |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Felt completely lost and felt no help was ever there if needed. Did not feel comfortable going for help. |
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) |
expensive travel |
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 |
the area we had to live in, no one spoke english |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | That no one will speak english |
