Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Una Esperienza Memorabile Past Review

By (Grand Valley State University) - abroad from 01/07/2014 to 05/03/2014 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Rome, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about adaptability. It was my first time sharing a bedroom, living with more than one girl, and being in another country other than Canada and the U.S. I learned how to best adapt to the local culture as well. You believe that you will immediately be immersed in the language and culture once you arrive here, but the truth is that it is really up to you in order to take the time to learn about it all. You have to practice the language or else you will remain to be surrounded by mostly English, and you need to go out to local Italian places in order to truly experience the culture. My time spent here was worth every cent! I learned a lot about cultural differences, independence, and myself. I would definitely do it all again!

Review Photos

CEA: Rome, Italy Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50-$75 depending on the week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure you save enough money aside for traveling! Italy can also become very expensive very fast! Be smart with your money. Save a lot of money by cooking your meals for most of the week.

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Third semester Italian
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 to use the language wherever you go. A lot of Italians will reply to you in English, but mostly because it's a great chance to practice their own English. Don't give up and keep trying to speak it wherever you go.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The staff
  • The excursions
  • The central location
* What could be improved?
  • Letting us know the itinerary of excursions more in advance
  • Giving us more information on what days we don't have school (ie holidays)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You will get homesick. You are thrown out of your comfort zone into a region where the language is hard to pick up on and the people can be rude and unfriendly towards Americans. However, you will have the best food of your life and you won't want to leave it behind.

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 Linguist
You 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!