Rome with LUMSA: Il vero disastro Past Review
By Nicole K (Italian Studies, History, Tufts University) for
Libera Universita Maria SS. Assunta / LUMSA: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My particular study abroad experience was not worthwhile, because I was expecting so much more from this program which did nothing but fail in every regard. I was highly disappointed. What this program DID teach, though, was self-sufficiency and the virtue of tremendous independence. If those are your objectives, by all means! I however, especially in a foreign environment such as Italy's, was not exactly in the mood to spend numerous months fending for myself as opposed to enjoying a wonderful semester abroad.
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. |
School unfortunately was about the worst part! No one knew what was going on...ever. Classes were regularly canceled and when class was in session, with the exception of one course (linguistics) the teachers were helter-skelter in their teaching methods and moved at an impossibly fast pace--unfortunate for foreigners. And I wish someone could've warned me that though there was no syllabus, no homework or no tests, we still needed to rigorously prepare for the final oral exam which, of course, is a nightmarish experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The International Relations office definitely tried to appease everyone, but there were too many international students at LUMSA--most of whom were Spanish and refused to speak Italian, and therefore required extra-special attention. The support was available but I felt it was quite useless; they were too consumed in other people's affairs. However! When I needed to arrange special final exam times/dates so I could return to the States for the spring semester, they were extremely cooperative and willing to work with me to get the exams completed...and that I greatly appreciated. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing also posed problems. As mentioned, we had to find our own housing which caused great problems in the beginning. However, though my apartment ended up being quite overpriced (550 euro plus utilities); my housemates (all internationals, save one Italian girl who was mentally unstable...seriously, she tried to kill herself) were sloppy; and the landlord was kind of a creep, I can't complain that much. The house was close to school (20 minutes by bus, and the bus stop was right outside) as well as cafes, various stores and restaurants, but far away from the main attractions of Rome (though public transportation was very easily accessible). The house was also supplied with bedding, dishes/silverware, toilet paper, etc. which was a relief on the first day...and though sloppy, my housemates did for the most part act as a family, which was enjoyable in light of homesickness. |
| * Food: |
There was no dining hall or anything at LUMSA, so I prepared all my food at my apartment. I did my own grocery shopping and made my own meals, so I can't complain on the quality of food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Traveling and programming that went on outside of LUMSA were easily the best parts of the trip; I'm glad I took out a big-enough loan to cover traveling expenses--but note that this was independent travel, nothing planned by school or Stony Brook. However, there was something in Rome called Erasmus Association, which was established as a programming board that organized activities/day-trips/parties for international students. The parties were every weekend but got to be costly (partying in Rome is NOT cheap!!), but I did register for 25 euros for a Saturday trip to a chocolate festival in Perugia, as well as a tour of Orvieto, at the end of October, and that was so enjoyable! One thing that I was super-jealous of was that on American study-abroad programs across Europe, there were weeklong trips to Greece (Loyola Chicago in Rome) and my best friend, who studied for the semester in Athens, went on a school-sponsored trip for a weekend to Crete. How lucky are they! Too bad this didn't exist at all with this program. You really were all on your own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Minus the loopholes in my health insurance policy (nobody informed me that I have to notify my agency of any appointments/checkups before going...who knew?), safety and health were not issues. I was easily able to fill prescriptions, and I didn't feel at risk whatsoever throughout the semester. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Food: roughly 30 euros a week (I also invested in a savings card..like a Stop and Shop card) Going-out/Entertainment: It depended on the week, but usually another 20-30 euros per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Please remember the exchange rate does exist, and if you go to a Bancomat/ATM, you will be losing additional money not just for ATM use but because of said exchange rate. From dollars to euros is steep, so be careful! |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Please don't go with this program, for all the above reasons. Nothing worked out, and if you sought to make things right, you were called an "immature child." Why give them the benefit of more students studying on their disaster of a program? But most importantly: I would recommend a program with a host family to best enhance language skills. If you're out for a general travel experience, dorming is the way to go! |
