Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again July 24, 2025

By (Classics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/22/2025 to 05/11/2025 with

ICCS / Centro: Rome - The Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Strengthened skills in close reading, reading of classical languages and analytic writing. Experienced new field experience with archaeology, epigraphy, and art history.

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.

* 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? Yes

The review title might lead you to believe my experience was negative, and that's why I would never do it again. But it really is a term of endearment. This was an incredibly special and amazing four months, and I will never do it again. It's bittersweet looking back months later, the memories make me happy and sad at the same time. But just like I said in my speech (iykyk), "Memory is the mother of wisdom"

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? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Professors
  • Classmates
  • Italy
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
  • Planning of Trips
  • Administration again
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take more pictures, you don't really need to do the readings but you NEED to take notes during lectures. Try to maintain a strong work-life balance, enjoy Italy and Rome but also really immerse yourself in your academics.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate Greek
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Advanced Latin
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: The Ancient City
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: