Rome: An Unforgettable Experience of Independence Past Review
By Brooke M (Communication and Media Studies., University of Tennessee - Knoxville) for
ISA Study Abroad in Rome, Italy
I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. I learned more about myself that semester than any other time in my life. I became more mature and more independent. I learned to think outside of myself and experienced a different culture. I want to go back and only have great things to say about my time in Rome!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was pretty similar. The professors abroad seemed to be more equipped and experienced in their field. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The leaders of the program were always available to help with anything ranging from getting directions to a place or suggesting a restaurant or helping me with travels or knowing about Italy and Rome and explaining cultural differences. I loved the leaders of my program! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our apartment location was great, because it gave us a smaller area of Rome to get acquainted too. I loved our neighborhood and was able to get a feel for it. It was a good location to get to school and also get to where I wanted to go in the city. It was a little further from the heart of the city than I liked, but was great for our situation. I loved my room mates, but wished I could have been placed with people different than me. I would have liked to meet people from other countries and cultures instead of a bunch of Americans. I would have love to be more involved with locals and not just other students like me. I was disappointed in the opportunity to make Italian friends or international friends. |
| * Food: |
The food was incredible of course! I was in Italy! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program took us to Capri, Sorrento, and Pompeii and Florence. They were great experiences as we didn't have to plan anything for them. Also, my program had tours of our city, Italian movie nights, and cooking classes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The healthcare is different there and I didn't know the medicines available in the farmicia, so it was hard to find what I needed if I didn't feel well. My program helped me though and told me where to go. Safety is important and you obviously have to use your gut in situations to know what is safe or not. DO not walk alone at night or leave your friends when you are out. Just use common sense and be smart about where you go and who you are with. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Italian was a necessary part of every day life. I could practice with the ISA leaders or at school. They were very encouraging in improving my language interaction and had many opportunities available to be involved in the language. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would say go with ISA! They are so helpful and offer a lot of opportunities. They take you on several planned trips which is very nice to not have to plan an adventure. Go to Rome if you are ok with being in a big city and can handle not getting overwhelmed by it. |
