A Semester to Remember Past Review
By Lizelle P (Finance and Financial Management Services., LaSalle University) - abroad from 01/23/2014 to 05/14/2014 with
The American University of Rome: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Learning how to put yourself in another country, learning the language, and fending for yourself is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. You learn so much. It gives you the confidence to keep trying new things especially in different countries.
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. |
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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? |
My roommates and I had the cutest flat. 3 bedrooms with a spacey living room, a dinning room, and a kitchen/laundry. It was a lot bigger then some of the apartments other people got and the furnishings and decorations were very stylish. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe walking around at night, to school, or anywhere for that matter. |
| 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) |
If you knew how to cook and didn't eat out that much, it's definitely easier to save money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I made a spreadsheet of every single thing I spent and I gave myself a specific budget of everything, like traveling, food, school/necessary expenses, and miscellaneous. Looking at how much you spend really helps you realize what you should or shouldn't be spending your money on. |
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? | Just keep using the language. Write common phrases that you might need to know on your phone. Practice makes perfect! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 had brought more money to go traveling around even more. |
