My Time in Rome Past Review
By Stephanie J (Health Sciences, Ohio State University - Columbus) - abroad from 06/04/2014 to 07/31/2014 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Summer in Rome
I learned to reach out of my comfort zone! Because I didn't know Italian going into the program, it was definitely difficult communicating with the locals, even at the grocery store. I like to tell people that I became really good at miming while abroad. It was definitely a worthwhile experience though!
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? |
The apartment was in a suburb close to Rome, but my commute to my internship placement would take an hour and a half on public transportation. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program offers health insurance to all students and interns during their time abroad! |
| * Safety: |
Some people warned me before I left to be aware and cautious of pick pockets in Rome, but neither I nor my fellow interns experienced any problems with this! My best recommendation for girls would be to bring a crossbody bag with a zipper that is difficult for strangers to reach into! |
| 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) |
I learned early that eating meals out every night would not be an option- but there was an open air market across the street from my apartment placement and I would cook my own meals to save money. |
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 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I would recommend taking out learning language CDs from the library and listening to them in the car to learn the language a little beforehand- any bit helps! |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known Italian customs. For example, Italians eat their food in a certain order. On my first day at the internship I ate my chicken before my pasta at lunch and was laughed at! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
