Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A month of learning, great food, and amazing people! Past Review

By (Government and History, Wofford College) - abroad from 01/06/2015 to 01/30/2015 with

IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself as I traveled with friends and made new ones along the way! I learned that I can take care of myself as well as acclimate to a new and foreign environment. I stepped out of my comfort zone and gained so many priceless memories and experiences because of it. This program and my time in Italy helped me to broaden my views and become more openminded as well as adventurous.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The class and the professor, Gianni Ponti, was extremely educational as well as enjoyable. There are many outside activities and field trips that will help you experience the Italian culture as well as learn and appreciate its history.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone was extremely friendly and excited to be there for us. They were always there to answer questions and really created a sense of safety and comfort. I felt like I was in a home away from home.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartments really made me feel as if I was living and experiencing life as an Italian. The Italian student that lived with us was one of the most amazing women that I had ever met. She was always helping us find our way around and taking us to cool hotspots around the city.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

For about two days during my stay I was extremely sick and somewhat scared because I was on a completely different continent and had absolutely no clue about healthcare in Italy. Thankfully, the program was by my side the entire time and my Italian student took care of me the whole day. She checked on me every hour, made me soup, bought me fruit and veggies, and it was almost as good as having my own mother there. I cannot thank her enough or the rest of the program for helping me recover.

* 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? approximately 60-100 euros ( the shopping in Italy is amazing!)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you go to the San Lorenzo Leather Market in Florence, Italy, feel free to bargain and barter until you are comfortable with the price that they give you!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • The staff- our teacher, Gianni Ponti
  • the housing and our Italian students that helped us.
  • The food, culture, and new friends that I made that will forever be special to me.
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe an itinerary prior to our first day of arrival
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I knew just how much I would love Italy and the program so I could have studied abroad for a semester instead of just a month.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.