Italian Adventure Past Review
By A student (Trinity University) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/18/2012 with
IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies
It was a fantastic experience and I have learned much about myself and how to take care of myself with limited resources. I would highly recommend it. Rome was a challenge to get around but such an exciting place to live. What an adventure!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were less rigorous than regular university classes. The library was also very small and there were few outside resources available. |
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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? |
I had a fantastic home stay experience. The family was wonderful and very accommodating. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| * 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? | $130 |
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 |
Everyone was required to take an Italian class but outside of the classroom we rarely used Italian. |
| 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? | 3 semesters of Italian |
| 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? | If you live with a home stay, practice your language with them as often as possible. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | I would tell people to ask questions whenever you need anything. In Rome there are no 'super centers' or 'one stop shopping.' Rome is not a convenient city to live in, but anything can be found if you ask someone who knows. |
