The JFRC is the greatest thing ever. Past Review
By Claire J (Fordham University) - abroad from 01/11/2012 to 04/28/2012 with
Loyola University Chicago: Rome - John Felice Rome Center
The JFRC was the best program, and I had the most incredible experience!!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers were incredibly intelligent, but also great for knowledge of the city and adjusting to the culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators lived on campus, so they were always accessible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in a dorm with 200+ American students is tons of fun. While you don’t learn the language as well as with a host family, I definitely had the most fun and made the most lifelong friends. |
| * Food: |
Incredible. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our school was really good at getting us to explore the city and culture, with planned events and recommended activities. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We were taken to a great Italian hospital if needed. |
| * Safety: |
Monte Mario is a very safe neighborhood. |
| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $4,000 including travel expenses |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan ahead. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | none |
| 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? | Just to get out there and speak with people, they love it when Americans make an effort. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | That I should have stayed for a summer program. Or done the fall program. |
