Americans in Rome Past Review
By A student (Art History/Political Science, Loyola University Chicago) - abroad from 08/28/2012 to 12/14/2012 with
Loyola University Chicago: Rome - John Felice Rome Center
My experience was enriching and unforgettable. I forced myself out of my comfort zone and took chances. I started saying "yes." As a result, I made some great friends and really awesome memories.
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. |
Professors not up-to-date with current teaching methods |
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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? |
Would like the option to participate in home-stays if at a certain level of Italian |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Somewhat insular campus. Would have liked to have more interaction with Italians my age |
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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? |
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) |
Rome is an expensive city. If you don't make a point to eat all your meals on campus, you can end up spending way too much money. However, eating meals off-campus is a better cultural experience. Choose your off-campus meals wisely, I would say. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 100 euro, so around $150 dollars. It's not cheap to go out in Rome |
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 |
Outside of my Italian professor, very few people around me on campus used the language. Most students in program are at a very basic level of Italian, which can be discouraging |
| 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? | 103 |
| 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? | Few people in the program show a genuine interest in learning the language, and even fewer are at an intermediate level. I was one of 3 people in a 104 course, and only 2 students were in a level higher than me. Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your skills, but don't feel any pressure to know Italian before you come, because very few people do. |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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 I had known that the program was so light on Italian education. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
