IES Rome: A Hands-on Experience Past Review
By A student (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Occidental College) - abroad from 09/01/2014 to 12/19/2014 with
IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies
My favorite thing about IES Rome was the amount of field studies incorporated into our daily classes. At least 3 times a week, our professors would take us to a site in Rome for a two hour class on what we were seeing. I saw museums, monuments, archeological sites, and even villas all during class time. Seeing the typical sites in Rome with the aid of the professor really pushed us from being tourists to becoming locals. We understood what we were learning about because we were seeing it firsthand, since Rome is so well preserved. The professors taught with so much enthusiasm and passion for their subjects that classes were enjoyable to students who were only taking them for general education requirements. The IES center itself is in a gorgeous central location across from a CASTLE (yes, you heard me correctly). If seeing a castle from your classroom window isn't enough, it doesn't hurt that there are countless cheap places for lunch right by school on Via dei Coronari, where students can find the best 5 euro pasta at Pasta Imperiale. The program's academics were exceptionally strong, made stronger by the professors who ensured that students were learning to the best of their abilities.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My favorite thing about IES Rome was the amount of field studies incorporated into our daily classes. At least 3 times a week, our professors would take us to a site in Rome for a two hour class on what we were seeing. I saw museums, monuments, archeological sites, and even villas all during class time. Seeing the typical sites in Rome with the aid of the professor really pushed us from being tourists to becoming locals. We understood what we were learning about because we were seeing it firsthand, since Rome is so well preserved. The professors taught with so much enthusiasm and passion for their subjects that classes were enjoyable to students who were only taking them for general education requirements. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
Go to Pasta Imperiale on via dei Coronari - literally 5 minutes from the IES Center and the best pasta you will get for 5 euro all semester! |
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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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| * Safety: |
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It depends, but about 40-60 euro. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Grocery shop and cook at home rather than eating out! You will save lots of money. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Italian 004 |
| 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? | Even if you think you are going to mess up your grammar or vocabulary, still speak up!! The best way to learn a language is through practice/trial and error. Really engage in the Italian classes, especially if you're hesitant to use the language in public. |
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?
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| 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? |
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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 wish I knew more about the ISC program - I signed up to live with an Italian roommate. Sadly, she never slept at the apartment on the weekends and barely engaged with us. I expected her to be our friend and take us around Rome like IES indicated, but this was not the case. I would not have requested an ISC had I known that this would occur. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
