Amazing Past Review
By A student (EDUCATION., University of the Pacific) - abroad from 01/28/2013 to 05/16/2013 with
The American University of Rome: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about the local culture. I also learned a lot about traveling and organizing trips.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses were not particularly rigorous but this allowed me to take advantage of travel opportunities and other cultural opportunities. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The physical housing exceeded my expectations. Nice apartments in good locations. However, study abroad students are only housed with other American students and roommates are assigned randomly. |
| * Food: |
The university did not provide any food. However, they did offer cooking lessons to all students. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
While it is possible to integrate into local culture while attending AUR, you must be extremely motivated. There are many American students and you are housed with other Americans so it is very easy to stay within American culture if you aren't careful. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
AUR provides a free doctor on campus for minor health issues. However, he does not speak very good English and isn't usually helpful. Serious health issues, on the other hand, are dealt with by sending students to a local hospital with an Italian speaking student. |
| * Safety: |
Like any major city, of course there were safety issues in Rome. However, I felt very safe. Students are placed in safe locations and apartment buildings have multiple gates each requiring a different key. Campus is surrounded by a wall and you need a student ID to enter the gate. Overall, I felt safer than I feel going off campus in Stockton. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Rome is a relatively cheap city to live in. My major expenses came from travel. I would spend about 300 euros every 2 weeks which would include a weekend trip. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 25-40 euros on groceries. 50 euros dining out. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Choose cheaper cities to travel to. In Europe, for example, Paris and London are extremely expensive and cities you would probably be able to get back to at some point. Budapest, Porto, and Prague, on the other hand are extremely cheap and much more interesting places to visit. |
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 |
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| 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 |
| 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? | Use every opportunity to practice and don't be discouraged if locals answer you in English. Label your room or apartment with the local language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I knew more about the housing. I also wish I knew how many American study abroad students there would be and how separated they are from the international students. |
