Loved SAI in Rome! Past Review
By A student (Business, University of South Carolina - Columbia) - abroad from 01/13/2015 to 05/08/2015 with
SAI Study Abroad: Rome - John Cabot University (JCU)
I learned a lot about myself. I became more independent and self-confident!
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. |
John Cabot University is an amazing college to attend while abroad. It is an American university located in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome, Italy. I participated in two business courses and two history courses during my semester abroad. All four of the classes I participated in were interesting, engaging, and exciting to attend. My favorite part was the small class sizes that allowed my classmates and I to engage in great discussions about our subjects. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The On-site SAI staff in Rome was AMAZING. Jess and Jordan are both great people who will do anything to help the students enjoy their time abroad. Jess was always available to help me schedule train tickets or find the best shopping in Rome. She also took me to the doctors office when I became sick during my first few weeks. Seriously - Jess is so great! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an apartment with five other SAI students. My apartment was about a 25 minute walk from John Cabot University but it was also located on a Tram line so we were able to take the tram as well. It was larger than most and clean. |
| * Food: |
It's ITALY...the food is amazing all over the country! Definitely eat at Dar Poeta (a pizzeria in Trastevere) for the best buffala pizza and nutella calzone you will ever put in your mouth. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Trastevere is a great neighborhood of Rome. It is within easy walking distance of the super touristy areas but far enough away to feel authentic. I loved wandering the streets and interacting with the local Romans. Also, taking courses at John Cabot allowed me to hang out with international students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I became sick during my first few weeks of study abroad. The onsite staff (Jess) helped me make my doctors appointment, took me to the doctor, and made sure I had all the necessary documentation for the doctor. It was a great experience because she stayed with me every step of the way. |
| * Safety: |
I felt VERY safe in Rome. Definitely always try to stay with a buddy when walking in the dark - I always felt safer when I was walking with a friend at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | N/a |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Set a budget before you go and stick with it! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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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 taken a course in Italian. I did not take a language course while studying abroad but wish I did! |
