I will remember Rome as a good friend Past Review
By A student (Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/10/2019 to 04/24/2019 with
Pantheon Institute: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained some confidence when it comes to independent living/travel. Definitely worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program had the potential to be great! We had interesting courses and the location (Rome) couldn't have been better. However, the work expectations weren't as rigorous as it is back at Penn State. It was a relief for the semester, but at the same time our work could have been better/more fulfilling if there was more expectation. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was very helpful and personable! They definitely made our time there less intimidating and they were very nice. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment was nice and met our needs. I enjoyed living in Trastevere and getting to know more of the city but it was quite a far walk, especially late at night. |
| * Food: |
I liked the food of Rome. It might have gotten a little old about halfway through (bread, cheese, meat, repeat), but I will take what I learned about Italian food culture with me and remember it fondly. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Once I became familiar with how Rome worked and gained some confidence, by the end of the semester I felt very integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Thankfully, I had no health issues while abroad. |
| * Safety: |
Before becoming familiar with the city, I was a little scared to be by myself but after finding my way around and learning how the city works, I could handle being on my own. I was pick-pocketed within the first 2 weeks so that hurt my confidence a little bit. It happened on a packed bus and I didn't even notice until my wallet was on the floor with no cash in it. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
As an architecture student, this was the program we were required to participate in. The other students I met studying at different schools seemed to be pushed more and learned more of the language. Some even had more benefits, like the public transport card. |
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 seemed very cheap compared to the States and other European countries. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30 groceries, 20 eating out, 10 bus tickets |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn how to make coffee at the apartment (even though it's super cheap). Go shopping with a list, look up recipes beforehand. Give yourself special shopping trips, don't buy clothes every week. |
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 were encouraged but there was little instruction for practical use of the language at our skill level. |
| 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? | Beginner/100 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Get familiar with the language before arriving and study vocabulary on your own. Force yourself to speak Italian when interacting with locals, it will feel great when you have a little conversation with the cashier at the grocery store! |
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?
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? |
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? | Your studio project is only as good as the amount of time you spend on it... |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
