The Time of My Life Past Review
By A student (St. Norbert College) - abroad from 01/08/2018 to 05/05/2018 with
SAI Study Abroad: Rome - John Cabot University (JCU)
I gained confidence in myself and I learned so much about the world outside of the US. This experience was EXTREMELY worthwhile! I miss it every single day.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
JCU was very different from SNC. The academia was not challenging and the professors catered to Italian students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Absolutely incredible and SO very helpful! I went into the SAI office every single day. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There was not much to the apartment at all; however, it was livable and newer which was nice. |
| * Food: |
Bought my own, so how could I not give Italy five stars on food?! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt pretty integrated which was wonderful; however, I wish SAI did something for us to get to know Italians at JCU more. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Just use the buddy system and be smart! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Absolutely! SAI was the best program I could have ever asked to be with. They were so helpful and encouraging. They did not baby us, but there were there for support whenever we needed it! |
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) |
It was tough! I just wanted to eat and buy everything! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | -Create a spreadsheet of your spendings as you go and keep up with it! |
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 |
Never forced, but encouraged. |
| 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? | Duolingo! |
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? | Essential items to bring along, how to plan for weekend excursions, Italian etiquette, how to travel in a foreign country, the list goes on and on! |
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.' |
