Rome: Better Than Home Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The teachers understood that we were in Rome not only to study but also to travel all over the continent. The workload was incredibly manageable, which made it enjoyable. This is far from the experience I've had at W&M, where the work is piled on to such an extent that you can barely keep your head above water, much less actually enjoy the process of scholarship. Don't assume that just because the professors at the Rome Center didn't pile on the work that they weren't competent. They were some of the most professional and enthusiastic teachers I've ever had. They ranged from a priest living in Italy for a year, to a business professional who grew bored of the Wall Street grind and moved to Europe for a change of pace, to a teacher who taught my mother when she studied abroad, and of course a little local Italian lady to teach us the language. An excellent experience.

On-site administration of your program

Professors were knowlegeable and helpful. The faculty made sure everything was taken care of. They were quick to help out if you needed anything. The administrators were a lot of fun during orientation. We went out to drinks with a professor on the last night and had a great time. Some of the Student Life Assistants could be a little pompous, but were generally helpful overall.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The building was quite beaten down. My mother had attended the program thirty years ago and when she visited me she said it hasn't changed much. The dorm situation was probably the lowpoint of the experience. I've heard that there are plans for a multi-million dollar renovation in the near future though, so don't despair. By no means should you avoid this program because the building is beaten down. Everything else about the program was so great that the pretty standard dorm situation was a little lack-luster. I guess I'm just spoiled.

It was very italian all the time. Pasta was served with every meal. It wasn't always the most delicious food on earth, but after a long weekend of traveling (and cutting costs by eating less) it really hit the spot and felt like home. We all have a special place in our hearts for the Mensa (Italian for cafeteria).

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were many Loyola students there of course, and they were very nice people. I found myself traveling with kids from both Loyola and other schools, and today I consider them very close friends of mine. (Side note: some people used the word "ciao" far too much. That was a little annoying but apparently irresistable to some when studying in Italy).

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The Rome Center is a little ways out of the city, in what I would call a European suburb (not quite as spacy/grassy as an American suburb, but definitely away from the hustle and bustle of the city). I always felt very safe there, as did the girls in my program. I felt safe almost anywhere in Rome at night, and actually on more than one occasion I had to find my way back alone around 4 in the morning after a night out. This wasn't a problem and I didn't feel unsafe at any time.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Our teacher was good, and the fact that she was a Roman made the course very interesting. But because I traveled most weekends outside of Italy and spent my time with Americans, I didn't pick up much more language than was required to get around (order dinner/drinks, ask directions, catch cabs, find bathrooms, interpret train routes). I have no regrets about this. And of course I learned enough to pass the Italian 101 exam.

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• Dorm

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• Americans