My Roman Adventure Past Review
By A student (International/Global Studies., Gannon University) - abroad from 08/27/2013 to 12/13/2013 with
The American University of Rome: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about myself, including the fact that I was actually able to do it. I went in super nervous because I did not go with any friends and I did not speak the language, but I was able to survive and really enjoy spending a whole semester away from my home school (and the US in general). It was definitely worthwhile- I was able to experience another culture, language, and way of living. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
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. |
I really enjoyed attending the American University of Rome, both because of the environment and because of the classes that I was able to choose from. I was able to take upper level major classes while experiencing Rome and other parts of Europe. |
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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 housing at AUR was nice, and my apartment was bigger than expected. There were a few issues, including the power going out a few times, but that was Italy in general, not the housing company AUR works with! |
| * Food: |
AUR does not provide food or a meal plan for students, but there are plenty of cheap, delicious places around campus to grab a quick lunch. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The only issue I had was that most of the students I met at AUR were other study abroad students, so we mostly spoke English to each other except for when we studied Italian, but I met many AUR resident students who were not American, and I was able to meet other Italians/Europeans through exploring the city! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experience with health care in Italy. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Rome, especially after learning my way around the city. Most of the time, I was with other students, especially at night, and I never really felt threatened or scared. However, I was careful and I was conscious of where I was and of others around me so that I would not run into any unneeded trouble. |
| 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) |
It was hard at first, but easier as the semester went along and I learned more about how much everything was. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-$100 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out as much as you want to! Save eating out for the weekends or only one night during the week- when you can, cook food at your apartment and buy in bulk so you don't feel bad about spending money on a nice meal when your friends really want to go somewhere super special! |
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 |
My Italian teacher was great! She immediately began speaking to us in Italian and really emphasized the speaking component of the course. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had completed five years of high-school and two years of college French, but I had never taken Italian. |
| 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? | Immerse yourself in it by forcing yourself into speaking it! It may be scary to speak to locals, but the only way that you are going to learn is to put yourself in those situations and speak!!! |
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 would have known my housing situation. I was told I had an apartment, but I did not know where it was or who I was living with. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
