Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Rome: Go Big or Go Home Past Review

By (Communication Studies, Western Washington University) for

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Rome, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Above all else I have become so open minded from this experience. I had only traveled near my home state, and hadn't really branched out culturally. With having to meet and get to know all new places and people it really helped me to branch out, and has changed me for the better. This trip has helped me focus on what I want to do academically when I get back, and if I have the opportunity to be abroad for work when I'm older, I now know that's something I could love.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The teachers were all nice. Some classes seemed disorganized, but the work load wasn't too much, and it allowed me to get the full experience out of my study abroad time. It allowed time for academic and personal growth.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were always willing to help. Sometimes there were miss-communications, but if there were issues with a class, or something going wrong in our household (i.e. light bulb burns out) they were always available to help.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living in an apartment with other international students was a great choice!! I live with 6 other girls, and I have created some friendships and memories that I will never forget. We all went through and grew through this experience together, and that was really special.

* Food:

It was hard getting used to no big supermarkets, but the freshness of the food here will be something I miss. Having to adapt to the availability of food here was great for pushing my comfort zone for being away from home and gave me the experience I needed.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I have had SO much fun on this trip. Before this experience I never was really able to travel, and I've gotten the opportunity of my life to do so here. The day and overnight trips through CEA were always fun, and included yummy meals! It was a good way to get to know the other people in the program, and some of my best memories were laying in the grass at a villa, after a huge lunch just soaking in the sun with everyone there.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

At the beginning of the program they informed us of precautions to take, so in all honesty, besides the common cold there were no other health issues.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

We only had a semester to learn a language that we had no prior experience with, so it was a little rushed. But we learned enough to get around through the city, meet some new people, and feel more comfortable in our surroundings.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people I've met
  • The way it's changed me
  • The places I've traveled
* What could be improved?
  • Apartment locations, but they are decent
  • Test set up, have the classes spread out their tests more, rather than have them all in one week all the time
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Prepare to twice as much as you anticipated before going abroad, but know that it is possible to afford. I'm a financial aid student, and with the help of some grants and loans I'm here now having an experience only a few get to be blessed with. This is only a few months of your life where you get to be and do exactly as you want to in beautiful places, so take risks, do something frequently that scares you a little, and cherish the friendships you make abroad! And as far as who would benefit from this?..EVERYONE. Whether you are well traveled, social-able, shy, haven't been anywhere, doesn't matter. You should go. Travelling helps open you up, and gives you experiences and skills that will be useful in so many aspects of life.