Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study Italy Past Review

By (Literature/Writing, CUNY - College of Staten Island) for

CUNY - College of Staten Island: Rome - Study Abroad at American University of Rome

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The impact of studying abroad in Rome definitely hightened my cultural awareness as well as raised my spiritualism.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned alot of things I would have never learned if I would have stayed at my CUNY College. The majority of my professors were great and very helpful.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

AUR is a very small and welcoming school; making it very easy for students to interact with eachother. It creates a warm welcoming environment everytime you walk throught the front gate. The class sizes are also small ensuring that no student gets left behind. The faculty as well as student life were always ready to help and the school trips they offered were always interesting and fun.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartment was nice, and spacious. The cookware wasn't top of the line but still got the job done.

* Food:

All the food is great, it was to fun to cook and experiment in the kitchen with Italian ingredients. Best place to eat are the 3 euro all you can eat appertivo they're great and they always have some kind of exotic Italian dish.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My class went on a field trip to Sicily and I was on Sicilian television.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Personally I didn't get sick once. However, I did have to go to the dentist and it was the best dentist I ever been to.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Using the language on a daily basis strengthened my usage and comprehension of the Italian language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The Faculty and staff.
  • The position and location of the campus.
* What could be improved?
  • More events to bring students together.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Have some knowledge of the language. Make good use of all your time. Take advantage of every moment. Use the train systems to see Italy. Don't be afraid, to do new things.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

ENIS- Italian Literature in Translation
Course Department:
Instructor: Prof. Catherine Ramsey
Instruction Language: English/Italian
Comments: I participated frequently in every class, never missed a class. The course work was very interesting and I did all the readings. I enjoyed the subject the matter. This professors teaching methods and grading policies were not good. I put the majority of my other classes aside because in this class I tried my hardest to get an A however, I ended up getting a C+, not even a B. I was very confused with the grade.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

ENG- Shakespeare's Italian Plays
Course Department:
Instructor: Prof. Alexander Liberto
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This professor is Shakespeare in the flesh. The way he speaks to the way he teaches is amazing. He is extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter and he knows how to grasp the attention of the class. He leaves it entirely up to the student to practically teach themselves, on Shakespeare and his subtleties. By far one of my favorite professors of all time.
Credit Transfer Issues: