The IES Rome classes are real, not a joke Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The IES Rome classes are real, not a joke. However, some professors are better and more engaging than others.

On-site administration of your program

The administration had clearly defined roles and would direct you to the right person. Some people were more accessible than others. They were generally knowledgeable and got things done, although sometimes not as quickly as you'd like (especially with apartment and Internet repairs). The only big problem some students had was that administrators could be inflexible about rules, even in extenuating circumstances.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in an apartment building off of Via Pannonia, south of the Colosseum. There were four American IES students and one Italian student living there. The Italian student had a single, and the rest of us had double bedrooms. We had a bathroom with a washing machine in it, as well as a small kitchen. There was really no common living space, although there was a TV in one of the bedrooms. We had a big closet for storage and drying clothes, plus hardwood floors. The two balconies were a nice feature. <br /><br /> Our neighborhood was nice and quiet, but it was a little far from the IES center and the nightlife spots. Our apartment was safe and clean, but it would have been nice to have a living room.

You are responsible for all your own food in the apartments. This is fine, although you can't buy too many groceries at once since you have to carry them back home! There were cheap lunch options near the IES center as well. Italian food is great, but it can be hard to find any other kind of food sometimes. Ask about the international food store if you're really starting to miss Mexican, Asian, or American cuisine!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The IES center provided awesome field trips and some weekly events as well. Rome is full of cultural activities and nightlife, so it's hard to be bored!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

When I fell down the stairs and sprained my ankle, IES was very helpful in terms of insurance and sending me to an English-speaking doctor. Safety is something to be aware of, especially for girls, but it's mostly an issue at night or at the city limits.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

How much you use Italian is really up to you. It's necessary in some shops but not others. You can take most of your classes in English and live with other English-speaking students if you like.

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• Apartment

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• Americans