Rome: It Changed my Life! Past Review
By Emily L (Art history and visual arts, Fordham University) for
Temple University International Programs: Rome - Temple University in Rome
Enormously. I came back to the U.S. with a greater appreciation for our economy, resources, and way of life. I also grew in my fondness and understanding of European culture. It was a win-win situation.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload was very manageable. Grading system was different according to the professor. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Pretty good resources. Professors weren't really available for office hours but I never felt the need to go anyways so it did not matter to me. Program size was small but ok. My expectations were met. The 'campus' was extremely small but I guess considering the location it would be hard to do any better. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
none. mostly ate a lot of bread, cheese, and pasta though. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I traveled throughout Europe and to several places in Italy. The trips were amazing and beautiful. I learned to accept and appreciate many different styles of life. It made a huge impact on me. I did not however get to meet or develop relationships with Native Italians or with anyone in a particular way in my program due to the distance from my homestay to the school. It was too difficult to have access to the transportation late at night so I spent way too much time in my room at the homestay. I was somewhat lonely. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I didn't really have any health issues, thank God. |
| 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? | about 100 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | food is very expensive and it adds up really quickly. Taxis are insanely expensive and difficult to find. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Make sure you take advantage of every opportunity to experience things and to go places and to meet people. Travel all over even if you have to spend all of your savings! It's a once in a lifetime experience! |
