Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Semester Ever! September 13, 2022

By (Economics and Marketing, University of Tennessee - Knoxville) - abroad from 01/12/2022 to 05/07/2022 with

SAI Study Abroad: Rome - John Cabot University (JCU)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had never been to Europe, so this experience gave me a whole new cultural perspective and insight. Not only did I have fun experiences and make new friends, I learned communication and how to immerse myself in another culture to learn.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Always there to help and always had awesome recommendations.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Perfect location and super cute

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I actually had to go to the dentist while I was here and the onsite staff helped me find an English speaking dentist that I could see asap.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I absolutely loved SAI. They did an amazing job choosing my roommates (we became fast friends) and had so many excursions and opportunities to get to know each other and Rome/Italy.

Finances

* 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)

I opted to eat out a lot, but if you chose to buy groceries and cook at home I think it would be minimal expenses

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? Don't blow it all upfront- I was excited to try a bunch of food and restaurant in Rome that I ate out a lot in the beginning and had less money in the end.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Onsite Staff
  • Included Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Amount of $ for Uni Meal Plan
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That you don't need to worry about speaking Italian- you will pick up the basics. I didn't speak any before and I was able to get by juuuust fine.

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 Urbanite
A 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.