A Life-Changing Experience in Rome Past Review
By marissalynne (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Santa Clara University) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 12/14/2012 with
Loyola University Chicago: Rome - John Felice Rome Center
I learned so much: independence, thinking on my feet, learning about new cultures. I learned about my Italian roots and felt more connected to my heritage and my family. I loved Europe and traveling around.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorms are very old, and sometimes the roommate arrangements do not work out well. There were a few people who had to switch roommates, but most of the time it is a good match. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
The Euro/American exchange rate is pretty dismal right now, so it's not just Italy. I spent most money on eating out and the wine. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring a lot of shoes and cute outfits, because those are really expensive once you get here. |
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? | Elementary Italian 3 |
| 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? | Go to the student areas of Rome (near the university, in Trastevere, in Testaccio) and really talk to the locals. They like hearing Americans try to speak Italian! |
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? |
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 wish that I had known better the location of the program. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Writing of Fiction |
| Course Department: | English |
| Instructor: | Elizabeth Geoghegan |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This was the best class ever! Not only were the on site spots we went to super cool and non-touristy, but I got great feedback on my stories. We also got really close as a class. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
