Honestly had the time of my life! Past Review
By Billy C (Finance, LaSalle University) - abroad from 01/27/2014 to 05/14/2014 with
The American University of Rome: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that no matter where you are from all human beings are the same deep down. However, cultural and societal norms do play a big role in influencing behavior. Something that might seem totally normal to an American (Drinking my cappucino on a tram), might seem totally absurd to an Italian. Where as in America everything is fast fast and faster, Italians like to take things slow and enjoy life around them. They worry about things that are happening at home within their city and family. They have a great focus on what is important.
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. |
Honestly, from what I had heard about studying abroad coming into this experience I was expecting to cruise through my classes. However, classes do require a decent amount of work with the majority of graded assignments being tests, quizzes, and projects. Class sizes were comfortable with an average of around 20 kids in each class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Student Life, Registrar, and Computer Services offices were always very helpful and prompt. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There are no dryers, but that is most of Italy. The apartment was very nice and spacious. It was in a great location in Trastevere right in from of a Tram stop. To get to AUR, you could take the Tram to the Bus stop and catch a bus right there. Usually that trip took about 20 minutes total. Walking to class would also take 20 minutes, and as long as it wasn't raining was not rough at all. The tram also went to Piazza Venezia, which was a great place to walk around, shop, and eat. |
| * Food: |
Can't say enough about the food; it really is as good as they say. There is an array of choices, so that you need not worry about getting sick of the food. I tried to grocery shop and cook my own food and save money, but it just wasn't nearly as good! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My roommates and I became friendly with the local shopowners. I could have done a better job at trying to become more involved at AUR, so that I would have became closer with the resident students. These students were all very nice and helpful once you got to know them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The only health problem I had was a bad toothache. Student life referred me to a dentist by my apartment. She checked me out, assured me I had nothing to worry about, gave me free toothpaste and floss, and sent me on my way without any charge. |
| * Safety: |
I never at all felt unsafe in any way. My peers that did did so as a result of their own faulty judgement. Still, as in any major city you should be careful when out late at night and try not to walk alone. |
| 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 went into this semester planning on budgeting my money as to not run out. My parents told me to forget about that and to get the most out of everything because I will never get an opportunity like this again. I didn't buy really any big personal items. Most of my money was spent on traveling, food, and having fun. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't let worrying about money hold you back from having the time of your life! |
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 strongly encouraged use any and all Italian that we learned in class when we were out and about in Rome. |
| 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? | Intro to Italian |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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 gotten a job during the fall semester because in Europe every little penny counts. |
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.' |
