Fall semester at ICCS January 23, 2025
By A student (Classics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/28/2024 to 12/15/2024 with
ICCS / Centro: Rome - The Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome
I was able to connect with online friends in Italy, and improve my Italian much more than I would on my own while appreciating the local traditions of classical reception. It really opened my mind to working within Italian classics, if I end up in the field. The academic rigor of the program itself also pushed me so much more than classes at my college, and I learned so much through that.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
There are no meals on weekends and no kitchen facilities, but otherwise food and housing were great. There is a grill outside for students to use. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The neighborhood is very quiet so it can be hard to get out. Being in a small, English-speaking group creates a bit of a bubble sometimes, but there are many opportunities to explore on your own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I wasn't sure if I had made the right choice when I first arrived at the Centro. On reflection, I absolutely did. It's so difficult and isolating to study Greek and Latin in the US, especially at an advanced level where you are often the only person in the school or even within the Classics department with your interests. My ability in Ancient Greek and Italian improved so much; Latin was a little slower but I didn't like the text in that class. The faculty were so engaged in teaching and supporting us, and we had lots of extra lectures and events to network with others in the field. I was also able to travel and grow my independence by being alone in another country. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Food ended up being the biggest regular expense. We received a 15€ stipend on Fridays, but this isn't enough by itself to eat for the entire weekend (considering we can't cook, so no real groceries). Overall the cost of living in Rome is reasonable. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Using Italian still takes initiative, since the teaching is in English and faculty always do the talking. Not knowing the language won't be a problem but it is a huge asset if you do. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It's important to try to be social in the first few weeks (even though those are the most exhausting). |
