A Great Experience Abroad! Past Review
By Adriana K (University of San Diego) - abroad from 08/27/2013 to 12/14/2013 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Rome, Italy
It was definitely a worthwhile experience! I improved my Italian speaking skills and learned a lot about the culture here.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes are average in their difficulty for a college course and the small class sizes really facilitates learning! My two classes at CEA were my favorite classes in the entire program! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration in this program is great! They also respond to emails in a timely fashion and are always willing to help us in any and every way possible. The trips that they planned for us were the highlights of my trip and very fun and organized! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was great. I loved living in Prati because it was nice and quiet at night but we could still go out to Trastevere for the night life. I lived in one of the nicer apartments. The kitchen wasn't as equipped as I had thought it would be and the maid service wasn't that comprehensive (sheets weren't changed, beds weren't made, and she didn't dust). But otherwise housing was great! |
| * Food: |
The food in Italy is obviously amazing. Stick to the local areas and stay away from touristy restaurants that will overcharge you for so-so food. If you cook yourself most of the time (like I did), be prepared to change your mindset. A lot of foods that can easily be found in America can't be found here in Italy. But everything that you can find here in Italy is so fresh and amazing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All of the students that I interact with are American because all of the students in my classes are American. If you want a super rich cultural experience you'll have to work at it. I have friends and family that live here in Italy so I was able to satisfy this in that way. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any health problems but those who did were taken care of. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe here, as long as I wasn't by myself at night. |
| 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) |
Because I cooked most every meal myself at home, with the exception of a night out every once in a while, I was able to easily feed myself for $50 a week, which translated to about 37 euro a week. Any other expenses were personal. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try and cook all your meals yourself! You save time and money! |
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 |
I am fluent in Italian so I did not take the foreign language class with my program. But I was encouraged to use it with the program staff. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian Culture and Conversation (After level 4 grammar) |
| 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? | Try and speak the language with your program staff and with the locals! Even though many speak English, the locals will appreciate you trying to speak their 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? |
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? | The kitchen is not fully equipped; it is partially equipped. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
