La vita è bella a Roma Past Review

By (Global Studies, Vermont State University) - abroad from 01/19/2015 to 05/12/2015 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 while I was abroad, and I picked up a lot of skills as well. I learned how to navigate a city without speaking the language or without a phone. I became a better cook. I improved my level of Italian. I learned that no matter where I am in the world, I will be able to make wherever I am home, with newly found friends and roommates.

Review Photos

ISA Study Abroad in Rome, Italy Photo ISA Study Abroad in Rome, Italy Photo ISA Study Abroad in Rome, Italy Photo ISA Study Abroad in Rome, Italy Photo ISA Study Abroad in Rome, Italy Photo

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.

The American University of Rome is a very good university. The courses are structured very well, the teachers are very qualified and this is definitely not a school you can slack off in. There are resident students who take their education very seriously and missing classes can be detrimental to your grade.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The ISA Onsite Staff were amazing and welcoming. Any problem that came up while I was abroad they were able to help me fix it, whether by faxing paperwork to my home university or by allowing me to use their phone to contact my bank.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The living arrangements were pretty good. It was a little crowded at times, as there were six of us in a three bedroom, two bathroom apartment but we were able to make it work.

* Food:

It's Rome. Whether you're cooking with some of the freshest ingredients around or eating out in Trastevere in a Trattoria you won't be disappointed. Avoid touristy restaurants and promoters who will do anything to get you to eat in their restaurant.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was in an apartment in Monteverde, which is a very residential area. There were Italian families living in my apartment building, and very few people spoke English, which gave me more chances to (attempt to) speak the language.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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)

Rome and Europe for that matter is expensive. I was able to live on about 125 Euros a month, about $140, except when I was travelling. I only ate out in Rome twice, to save money for when I had to travel for classes, for when ISA took us on excursions, and when I traveled on my own to Dublin and Berlin.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Less than $40 a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Whatever amount you think you will need, it most likely isn't enough. My parents deposited money into my account because I ran out three weeks before I went home. If you are on a limited budget, plan to cook almost all of your meals, shop at discount grocery stores like Todi's, and if/when you travel outside of Rome, buy a few things in the grocery store to have as lunch and save your money for dinners.

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

If I wanted to talk to anyone who wasn't in the college or in the ISA program, I had to speak Italian.

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? Italian 101
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? Speaking is really the most helpful. I hadn't really practiced the language before I left, it had been a whole semester since I had taken Italian and I struggled a lot the first few weeks. But once you are more comfortable speaking the language, you will become more confident and you'll find you'll be able to have at least a basic conversation with your grocer or the doorman of your building.

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?
  • Making international friends
  • Traveling withing Europe
  • Seeing everything in Rome
* What could be improved?
  • Recommended courses for study abroad students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I know now that stepping off a plane in a city that you barely speak the language of and making it your home for the next four months, although terrifying initially, is possible. I came from a very small town to a huge international city, and while there were some hiccups, some of which are very funny now, I was able to adjust and really enjoy my time abroad.