Past Review
By Kim N (Classical Archaeology, The University of Texas at Austin) for
IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies
Studying abroad in Rome was an experience I will never forget. The people I met in Rome will always have a place in my heart. Living in Italy has made me realize that material things aren't as important as they seem. I think I learned to appreciate the more simple things in life. Italians thrive when it comes to relationships and much of their time is dedicated in the up keeping of these bonds. I remember spending with my roommates hours talking and enjoying each others company during breakfast, lunches and dinners. Before the program started I thought that I would find the lack of personal space in Italian culture a problem, but after six weeks I think I am fairly comfortable with this whole approach. I found learning about Italian culture a highly satisfying experience and I hope to study abroad more in the future in other countries as well.
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 Beginning Italian course was highly beneficial for my everyday communication with Italians, but I could not have adapted to the language as easily if it weren't for my Italian roommates. The Art History course was a bit too comprehensive for the time permitted in the semester, but I found it enjoyable and it helped better my understanding of how the city came to be as it is today. The various field studies to different sites and museums was a new experience--taking notes of artifacts and sites in their original context makes for a much more interesting class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration did a great job organizing events and the program ran very smoothly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Monteverde on Via Paolo Falconeiri, 19. It was a 30 minute walk from school or a 15 minute bus ride. <br /><br /> The neighborhood was safe and the neighbors were friendly. Apartment items were already included and we only had to buy weekly groceries. The Italian roommates were amazing! They encouraged us to live as Italians would live and this made my experience all the more authentic. We cooked together, learned numerous Italian recipes and integrated ourselves in the expressive and relaxing culture Italians are so known for. |
| * Food: |
Dining out can be expensive so we saved a lot of money cooking lunch and dinners together. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went to a bread and cheese factory where we learned the importance of old Italian customs and cooking. The idea of retaining one's roots became a constant theme during my stay. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Rome is a fairly safe city but future students should use common sense in their interaction with specific groups of people especially during the late hours. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bank transactions fees were more expensive than I expected. It is better to withdraw enough money for a month's usage than multiple small weekly withdrawals. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | upper division latin |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
We covered different grammar rules but the main goal of the course was to learn "survival Italian" in order to navigate around the city and interact with Italians in their native language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I had a great time during my study abroad experience. The faculty and staff are really nice and my Italian roommates were even better. All the students in the program had a common interest--Rome, and we helped each other explore all that the city had to offer. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Rome as a Living Museum |
| Course Department: | AH320 |
| Instructor: | Pier Paolo Racioppi |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Professor Racioppi was very knowledgeable in the topics covered. The field studies complemented the course well and student presentations displayed much enthusiasm from my peers. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Time constraints forced us to skip some important periods of study. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
BEGINNING ITALIAN I |
| Course Department: | IT105 |
| Instructor: | Franchesco C. |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was great and allowed me to learn a good amount of Italian in such a short period of time. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Don't know yet. |
