A great experience that everyone should take advantage of Past Review

By (Sociology., The Catholic University of America) - abroad from 01/04/2012 to 04/29/2012 with

Catholic University of America: Rome - CU Rome Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. I feel like I became more independent and I learned how to do things and figure things out on my own.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't really meet that many Italian people outside of my host family.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? at least $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Grocery Store

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 104 Spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Italy
  • Host Family
  • Students I went with
* What could be improved?
  • It would be nice if the attendence policy for classes was more lenient.
  • My ItaliaIdea class was from 4PM-7PM, which was really late and inconveniently placed during the day.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How expensive the whole semester was.