The Experience of a Lifetime Past Review
By Klarysa Forczyk (Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/11/2018 to 04/27/2018 with
Pantheon Institute: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned so much about the development of Roman architecture--I cannot begin to explain how much I appreciate this and its relation not only to other types of architecture. It helped me to understand the parallels between Roman progression and those of other cultures.
Review Photos
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. |
The resources, opportunities and experiences provided for were varied and unique, all of which were appreciated and memorable--it is a semester to never forget! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Naomi is wonderful and helpful; the professors (mainly a certain one) sometimes seem lost when conducting field trips/walks, though. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Spacious and pretty! |
| * Food: |
How can I not like it?! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The school tried to integrate certain aspects of Italian culture into classtime (ex. coffee breaks, group dinners during field trips, etc.); however, my most treasured cultural exposure came from me just exploring the city on my own and talking to locals--the school does a fair job of introducing certain aspects, but to truly experience Rome, you have to take your own initiative to go out and discover new people, places and customs. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to go to the hospital my first week; the school was helpful in providing us with hospital numbers for English speakers in an introductory presentation. This hospital, although claiming to take my insurance, never came through in refunding me. |
| * Safety: |
The school cares a lot about safety--almost too much at times, but understandably so. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I enjoyed the classes with my close friends and all the unique facts and interesting ideas I learned from my instructors--no tour guide could ever match up to them! |
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) |
This cost about the same as if I were at Penn State. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy your plane tickets in advance (after arriving and receiving a final schedule)--they go up in price when it hits spring! Also, cook for yourself one meal a day at least, and bring snacks to studio or you'll starve. |
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 |
We only were encouraged to use phrases like 'va bene' or 'allora', but no real Italian was pushed. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | N/A |
| 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 learn what is necessary to order coffee--there's no need to take the language class to be able to get around town. Only take the class if you truly want to learn the language. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | EVERYTHING |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Cartography |
| Course Department: | Architecture |
| Instructor: | Allan and Cothran Ceen, Ann Pulver |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was by far my favorite! Every Tuesday, we would have a lecture on the history of Rome (political, social, geographical) explained by maps and pictures. Oftentimes, Allan would show pictures of monuments throughout Rome, which was fun to recognize. On the Thursday classes, he would take us on small guided group walks (about 5 to 8 people) led by an instructor on an ancient Roman pathway still used throughout the city. I learned so many interesting facts and really felt like I became aware of how the city developed over time and why it is structured the way it is today! What a terrific class with amazing instructors who care! |
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