Best trip I could have asked for in Rome! Past Review
By Caitlin L (Health Science, Biology, Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 05/20/2015 to 05/30/2015 with
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Rome - The Italian Health System Maymester Program
I got to fly in my first plane (first two, actually). I got to go to a city and country I have always wanted to visit. I learned some Italian, I got to eat the best food (and gelato) that I have ever ate in my life. I learned so much not only about their healthcare system, but about their culture. And definitely worth while!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We did our coursework before the actual trip began. That way we could spend our time really focusing on what the lectures were about, and we already had a base knowledge from the work and research we previously did. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I LOVED our tour guide. He made the trip! There were a few misunderstandings, but none that were too important. They did a very good job for us. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved the hotel! It was so beautiful and right in-between two subway stations (it made it very easy to get around Rome). |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing! I loved everything I had except for one meal. I'm not sure of what it was or what it's name was... but it was just called "meat," and none of us really liked it much. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very. I could have studied the language a little more, but I felt very at home. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
N/A, but it would have been easily accessible since we were visiting health care facilities. Also, our professor brought plenty of first-aid items such as band aids, sunscreen, etc. |
| * Safety: |
I felt 100% safe ONLY because I came prepared. I read others advice and took precautions. My professor did a good job warning us about pick-pockets and other problems. My advice for future students is girls: wear a cross-body bag if you're going to wear a purse at all. And guys... DON'T carry your wallet in your pocket! They are very sneaky. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
It was very easy. There were plenty of places to eat and take care of personal expenses that were a very reasonable price. If you want to get LOTS of souvenirs and expensive foods - you might want to bring extra. However, most of their souvenirs were also decently priced. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Not even $100 on food (counting souviners, less than $200) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Any odd job that you can do, do it! I work on campus and am a full-time student. I tried to hold back some money out of each pay check. I also tried to do odd jobs (dog-sitting, chores for neighbors, yard work for family members). I even cleaned out some of my apartment of clothes and items I never used anymore. All of that extra money went into my spending jar! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
They tried to at least get us to learn (and use) the basics. Thank you, you're welcome, hello, goodbye, etc. |
| 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? | High school (not the language of the program, but I did use some German while I was over there) |
| 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? | Have a translating app or bring a book of translations! It comes in handy when you are at a restaurant that has no English. It's also really nice to know the basics. The app I used was DuoLingo. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known the weather a little better. It was much cooler than I expected. |
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.' |
