Unforgetable Past Review
By A student (Business Administration, Saint Josephs University) - abroad from 08/29/2013 to 12/13/2013 with
The American University of Rome: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained an immense appreciation for other cultures as well as my own that I did not have prior to going to abroad. This is probably one of the best things I could have taken away from this experience.
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. |
AUR offers courses that challenging yet manageable which graciously allows you to make the most of your time abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
AUR has a very dedicated administration that is always willing to help you with your needs. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I enjoyed my apartment nearby the school very much. It was a great experience getting to live in a building with other Italians as opposed to in a dorm. |
| * Food: |
Italian food. Need I say more? |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It did not take me very long to feel at home in Italy. It was a rewarding experience to put my American norms to the side for a semester and make an effort to adapt to the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Fortunately I did not have any serious health concerns while abroad but when I did make visits to the AUR doctor, I did not feel I was provided with the best care that I could have been. |
| * Safety: |
While there is always the threat of pickpocketing, Rome as a whole is a very safe city and I have always felt comfortable walking around during the day or at night. |
| 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) |
I knew coming into this that Rome was an expensive city and I had been saving up for awhile which allowed me to live fairly comfortably while abroad. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Begin to save up as soon as you know you would like to study abroad. Also, try and apply for study abroad scholarships. |
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 |
I took an intro to Italian language and culture course but I would not say that I was highly encouraged to use the language. |
| 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? | None |
| 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? | Pick up a basic phrase book or dictionary and spend a few minutes each day practicing. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Learning some of the language prior to coming abroad would have been a huge asset upon my arrival here. |
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.' |
