Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An amazing time in one of the worlds most historical city! Past Review

By (Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 11/04/2019 to 12/14/2019 with

CIEE: Rome - Open Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely it was worthwhile, I had the best experience of my life. I learned so much about other cultures and the history of many places and cities. I also was able to pick up on the languages of some of the places that I visited.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was able to learn so much from being in my classes!

* 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 wish there were more opportunities to be able to interact with some of the locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Rome, the only issue was pickpocketing, like most of Europe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved being with the CIEE program. I might of chosen a different city other than Rome, but I did enjoy my time here.

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)

In Rome there are a lot more attractions that require you to pay for and the shopping is a bit more expensive as well. Grocery stores were not too expensive, but still cheaper than America.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? depending on the activities that I did that week, but possibly around $150, including traveling over the weekend.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy food containers to be able to save food throughout the week. If you are staying just one block then I would recommend to only buy food that you could use within the span that you are there. For traveling, try to find flights early in the program, and google flights is a good way to find cheep flights.

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

I was able to practice with the staff and they were very helpful and encouraging!

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? N/A
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? Be immersed! There are language exchanges and take advantage of them and meet other people!

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Being able to travel on the weekends
  • Accommodation for housing was taken care of.
  • Being able to have teachers from the country that I was studying in.
* What could be improved?
  • Being able to interact with more locals.
  • More Countries to have the opportunity to be with a host family.
  • In Rome, the walking distance from the GI to the apartments.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More of the history of Rome and more hidden places to go and the best cities to visit nearby.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.