Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sempre Roma (always Rome) Past Review

By (Politics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/28/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about Italian language and culture and got a really great internship out of it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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?

I had the worst housing of the entire program. Some apartments were new and modern but mine was dingy and small. Our appliances broke frequently and our oven was broken for the duration of our stay and no one the program sent over could fix it. It was also a tight squeeze: there were six of us split up through one triple, one double, and one single.

* Food:

I cooked for myself in the evening and sometimes went out to dinner. I would always eat out for lunch, usually pizza or a sandwich.

* 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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about 50 USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to save about 3000 dollars. Do not blow most of it early, as some of my friends did.

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? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? level 30 Italian
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • the city
  • the food
  • the work I was able to do
* What could be improved?
  • more rigorous admission requirements
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You'll learn something knew every day in Rome, always dig.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Italian Language
Course Department: Italian
Instructor: Giulia Bottero
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: I learned alot from the class. I am a fluent Italian speaker, but I needed to perfect my written ability and was able to do that. We also learned about the culture of Rome by going on field trips to different neighborhoods, watching movies, and listening to music.
Credit Transfer Issues: