Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Absolutely amazing Past Review

By (Art History, Classics, Fordham University) - abroad from 01/09/2013 to 04/26/2013 with

Loyola University Chicago: Rome - John Felice Rome Center

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about independence, how to get around between countries, how to live somewhere where you don't speak the language, and loads about art and history.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? When going to a café or bar for a cup of coffee, DO NOT opt to sit down - stand at the bar instead. You get charged A LOT for sitting down. Yes, they will bring it to your table, sometimes with a glass of water or something, but sitting can bring the cost of your coffee up to four euro. That's a lot. If you stand, yes its less comfortable, but that same coffee can cost less than one euro. Also, its what all the locals are doing.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Location
  • People
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Give the throw-away phones to the students earlier
  • When students are lost in Montemario on their second night in Rome at 2am, please don't brush them off, but rather try to give them really solid directions and talk them through it
  • Try circulating news about events occuring throughout the year in Rome, like religious festivals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Some Italian vocabulary

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 Linguist
You 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!