An amazing and challenging study abroad experience that I would reccomend. Past Review
By A student (University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign) - abroad from 01/12/2017 to 05/13/2017 with
Borromini Institute: Rome - Institute for Food Studies Semester and Programs
i learned how to be more adapatable, patient, determined, and to figure things out for myself while staying calm. It was absolutely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic program was an interesting, dyanmic, and intense mix of scholarly readings, in class lectures, and our of the classroom excursions. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I very much liked and enjoyed being with the large majority of Gustolab Staff. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in one of Rome's nicest neighborhoods with more than adequate living facilities. |
| * Food: |
So give the best summary of the food, I lived on a block with two grocery stores, one specialty market, a bakery, and a fresh food market that operated every morning, seven days a week. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
How well a student feels integrated into the local culture depends on how willing that student is to attend community events, join local organizations, and be alright with at times feeling uncomfortable. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
N/A- I never needed access to healthcare, but for the rare times that a student needed medical attention they promptly received it. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe while in Rome. Of course no place anywhere in the world is perfect, but if a student uses caution and common sense they will most likely be totally fine. |
| 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 is unfortunately a bit more expensive, but that is simply a reflection of living in the heart of a major metropolitan city. I was able to live comfortably without outrageous expense. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | i spent approximately 100-150 US dollars per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to eat out as much, and keep a general list of your day to day expenses. |
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? | 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? | Speak as much as you possibly can. It is miles more fun that way. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? |
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? | I wish I knew to practice my Italian more, as language skills make all the difference. |
