Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Worth Doing Past Review

By (Romance Languages, Truman State University) - abroad from 01/25/2012 to 05/16/2012 with

College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): Rome - American University of Rome

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I did improve my Italian slightly, and I saw alot. My Latin improved immensely.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Some classes were easier than others.

* 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? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 euros

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? Beginner
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? Italian 101, Latin 201
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? Talk more to the locals.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Being abroad
  • Living amongst Italians
* What could be improved?
  • Better classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The Italian program was not very good.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Italian 102
Course Department: Italian Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: Not at all challenging. I relearned everything I had learned in 101. No field trips or use of the fact that we were in Italy. Teacher was good though. Exams and a presentation were the graded parts.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issue
Course Name/Rating:

Latin 202
Course Department: Classics
Instructor: Gwynn
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very challenging. Learned a lot. No on-site classes. Participated a lot. Final exam and four homework assignments only.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues
Course Name/Rating:

Archaeology 101
Course Department: Archaeology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: No challenge at all. Several on-site trips. Teachers were terrible. Several papers/presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues: Would not transfer.
Course Name/Rating:

History 235
Course Department: History
Instructor: Caradi
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Perfect amount of challenging. Three on-site classes. Teacher was excellent. Two papers, two exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issue