Studying Abroad in Rome Past Review
By Alexandra A (Business Administration, Fordham University) for
Loyola University Chicago: Rome - John Felice Rome Center
I became more independent and mature. While abroad, I went on a plane by myself for the first time and even went on a weekend trip by myself for the first time. I learned more about the Italian culture as well as the cultures of other places that I visited. Studying in Italy wants me to become better at the language. I am itching to go back to Europe! I am so jealous of my friends who are studying abroad for a year.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took five classes and had fridays off. At this program everyone has friday off for travel purposes. I took five classes and did not feel overwhelmed with traveling. The work load depended on the teacher I had. My art in Rome class had a lot of reading, but since the class met only once a week, it made sense and was fine. My Global marketing class had about 25 pages of reading per class. The teaching methods were very similar to those at Fordham - mostly lecture. Each class had a midterm and a final. My italian class had 2 oral quizes, and four quizzes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was run very well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I filled out a form and mailed it to LUC. I picked my preferences |
| * Food: |
Two of my friends were celiac and the cafeteria staff made accommodations for them by ordering gluten free bread and pasta. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
What I really liked about the program that I studied at is that they offered many different study trips to go on. There were a bunch in Italy alone that helped you get a great view of Italian culture. The program also had a really cool orientation week. They brought us to the beach and got us tickets to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. On our Orientation Weekend Trip, we traveled to four cities that is hard to travel on your own because of transportation. We got to try many different foods that are popular to the area. We also got to taste wine. The school also arranged two neighborhood dinners that you could sign up, pay, and attend. I went on one of them and really enjoyed it. You got a lot of food at a great Italian restaurant! There was also a welcome mass in St. Ignatius, a really beautiful church in Rome. The administration also arranged for all the students to attend a papal audience one Wednesday morning. I really enjoyed that and was in the 4th row! Campus ministry also hosted many events that attracted students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The area near campus was very safe. Rome and Italy in general are known for pick-pocketing. The school warned the students several times about this and how to best avoid getting pick-pocketed. They also addressed safety in regards to getting in trouble with the Embassy. Health Care was easily accessible. There was a doctor that came to the campus twice a week for two hours each time. There is also a hospital, Villa Stuart, a 3 minute drive away. It was very easy to make appointments there. There were no prevalent health issues in Italy that I was made a ware of. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about 10 euros per week on breakfast and snack foods. This does not include the amount of money that I spent while I traveled every week from Friday through Sunday. While I was traveling, I spend around 100 dollars on food |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | While traveling, its hard to estimate how much food and transportation is going to cost. I wish I knew how expensive food and transportation in Stockholm and Paris were. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I did not take a college-level course before departure |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
We were required to take Italian 101 while abroad or have taken it before. I placed into italian 102 since I took the language in high school. I practiced the language in class and used it frequently when I was walking around Italy and needed to buy bus tickets or ask for directions. I always tried to use Italian when I ordered something at a restaurant. Since I was at an American institution, i did not have to use the host country language everyday. Everyone spoke english. |
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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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I think that this program was a great program to choose if you want to meet people that you will be friends with for a long time. There are about 200 students all from American institutions, so all of the friends you make will be from the States. Its great because I'll be able to stay in touch with them as the years pass. You know everyone in the program and form a type of "family." The weather in Rome is great and is so nice for site-seeing. The transportation system is a pain, but you get used to it. Italians tend to do things slowly and in their own way... you'll get used to it! The type of student that would benefit most from this student are students who want to meet other americans and travel or site see in Rome on the weekends. Rome offers many great things to do all the time! |
