Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Happiest Months of My Life Past Review

By (English, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 09/02/2013 to 12/20/2013 with

IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I saw some mind-blowing things, met some great people, and had an overall amazing time in Rome. I definitely learned some things about myself, conquered the challenges of foreign travel, and gained a new perspective on the world. Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There was a good balance between classes that actually were interesting an had educational merit and a fairly light workload that allowed for frequent weekend travel.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were all very nice, friendly, and informative. They were really invested in making sure that everyone had an unforgettable experience. They were eager to help with any problems I had, no matter how small.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great apartment, great living assignments, great location, but the appliances left something to be desired.

* Food:

As I'm sure you have heard, Italy is famous for its food and it doesn't disappoint.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The only aspect that was missing was that I wasn't forced to use my Italian, everyone spoke English. Depending on your outlook this could either be an advantage or a disadvantage

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had an accident at an international soccer game that required my to go to the hospital several times (just for stitches) and the dentist's office. The program took care of everything in terms of scheduling the appointments, filling out the insurance paperwork, and making sure I knew how to get there. The healthcare wasn't quite the level i'm used to here in the States but was more than adequate.

* Safety:

The only thing you have to worry about is pickpockets.

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? 175
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to the grocery and cook your own meals as much as possible.

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? 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? It's not a huge issue unless you travel to some of the provincial areas of Italy. The hardest thing is deciphering their speedy speech. Try watching some TV shows in Italian

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • All the "extra" benefits of the program: activities, trips, etc.
  • The location
  • The people, both teachers and administrative.
* What could be improved?
  • The availability of classes
  • More class trips
  • More class resources (computers, reference books)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to get around the city, it took a month before I was comfortable navigating Rome without assistance.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'