The perfect study abroad experience in Roma! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, I thought that my educational experience at AUR was the perfect balance between academically intense classes and classes that really inspired me to think outside the box. I thought that I had the perfect amount of work- I definitely had to keep up with school, but never felt like it was more than I could handle and had ample time to travel and explore Rome. My professors were great, and really knew they subject matter inside and out. It was extremely interesting to be in classes with students from all over the world, and it really inspired some interesting discussions! My Italian teacher was so nice and very encouraging. I would seriously recommend taking an on-site Art History or Archaeology course, it was so amazing to have class in places like the Sistine Chapel or the Colosseum.

On-site administration of your program

Everyone in the Student Life office was so unbelievably friendly and understanding- I couldn't have asked for a better resource! They organized many different activities to make us feel right at home, and encouraged us to ask them anything- from where the best carbonara was in the city, or how to plan trips to other countries.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

For the most part, I was very satisfied with my living arrangements. I had the good fortune of being assigned to an apartment above a grocery store- which was super convenient. In addition, we were extremely close to the tram stop. I really liked the area of Gianicolense/Trastevere and thought that it definitely felt local and authentic. Our neighborhood was very cute and filled with local shops and the neighbors were extremely nice and welcoming.

You really can't beat the food in Italy. It was absolutely outstanding! I don't think I had one bad experience the whole semester I was there- everything from the trattorias to the kebab shops to the pizza places were absolutely delicious!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt pretty integrated with the local culture. Most study abroad students live with other English-speakers, but they do so in Italian apartment buildings. For example, I didn't have any other AUR students in my building, so I definitely felt integrated. I also took a class that was focused specifically on Italian culture, and each week we would go to a new place in Rome and our instructor would help us to understand another aspect of Italian culture- which was really great!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Although I did not have any specific healthcare experiences while abroad one of my friends did and AUR handled the whole process extremely well. She had to be hospitalized, and a member of the Student Life office was there for her every step of the way...talking to her parents, coordinating her care and speaking to her doctors. She was so grateful for them and I couldn't imagine how they could have done a better job. Overall, I found that everyone at our local pharmacy was extremely nice and understanding, and didn't have any issues! I thought that the things I did need (like cough drops or advil) were very easily accessible, and often times much cheaper than what I would have paid in the United States.

I always felt safe in Rome. I also thought that AUR definitely prepared us at the beginning during a meeting with the US Embassy/Consulate and always encouraged us to come to them with any questions.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

In terms of living on a student budget, it really depends what you want to spend money on//what you determine your own budget to me. I would recommend trying to plan how much money you have for the semester from the get-go, and seriously thinking about what trips you plan to take. I found that I lived pretty cheaply while in Rome. I cooked a lot of my own meals each week, and found that groceries/wine were really not too expensive at all. In terms of transportation, I got the monthly passes each month and tried to avoid taking cabs. While there are some times that I would spend more (traveling or weekends filled with entertainment), I really didn't think that it was too difficult to live on a student's budget.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• My teachers were great and it was so interesting to take classes with students from all over the world.
• It was amazing to have Rome as a backdrop for my academic experience.
• The AUR Community was so welcoming and inviting!

• Housing- I definitely would have appreciated more pots/pans and blankets.