AMAZING!!!! Past Review

By (Anthropology., University of Florida) - abroad from 05/28/2012 to 06/28/2012 with

ISA Study Abroad in Rome, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and how i could be independent in another country. And it was totally worth my time.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not that much, although the apartments we're great because you got to live with real Italian families.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The city is safe as long as you stick to common sense

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $1200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't buy your souvenirs all at once, wait to you've been to the other cities before buying them. Also haggle the prices down.

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None, you took Italian once you were there
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? Ask for a language exchange program, where you help an italian practice english and you practice your italian

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Excursions
  • Friendliness
  • Everything
* What could be improved?
  • exposed to more locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the locals are really friendly as long as you dont assume you are better because you're american