Italy is a crazy and wonderful place. Have no reservations and GO! Past Review

By Thomas G (Music Production and Recording Tech., Shenandoah University) for

The American University of Rome: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

My situation with my school made it impossible for me to do a full semester abroad. But the summer was perfect. I was able to do some valuable work towards me degree all while taking in the marvelous Italian culture and lifestyle. Italy gave me an appreciation for some of the things we have here in the states and other times have changes aspects of what I do here at home from what I have learned from being abroad. It is a wonderful experience living among the people of a culture different from your own. You learn more about yourself and of people in general. there is no substitute for this experience and it is one that is crucial to us understanding the world around us.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Amazing experience. Fast paced classes but to be expected for Summer classes. Program was somewhat difficult to find but once I did, it fit the goals perfectly. The teaching systems were a very easy adjustment and overall very similar to american teaching styles. Very helpful university staff and faculty.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Wonderfully helpful and friendly. Realistic, honest, warm and fun.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	In an apartment with 3 other American roommates. All other inhabitants in the building were Italian and we were the only Americans on our street. Very submerged in Italian living. Apartment was spacious enough, nothing fancy. Perfect.
* Food:	No food provided through the University, but you're in Italy! Experiment!!! Italians love their food and it doesn't take long to figure out why.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The field trip to Tuscany was the best weekend of my life. Beautiful places food and people. It was absolutely amazing. The night life in Rome is fun too and certainly can be done on almost any budget. Most students go with a few other people from their school, but I didn't. It took a little while to find my niche, but not too long.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	coming fro a school in a small-ish town, going to school in the middle of a city is a big change. Different things to think about that I would not normally worry/think about. But adapting was done easily. Might be more difficult for students with little or no traveling abroad experience.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
Language acquisition improvement?	Language is difficult, especially for me, to learn on such a compressed timeline, but fun to be able to practice everyday. Finding people who spoke English was easy most of the time but not universal. Many times our Italian got us out of some tricky spots and got us into some amazing places.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	If you have a knack for 'going with the flow' or 'improvising' you will feel right at home in Roma. The cultural experience is like nothing else. Leave what you think you know about Italy at the door and make ready for an amazing time.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Christianity in the Roman Empire
Course Department:	Rel. 102
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	On-site excursions were some of the highlights of the entire trip. Great mix of archeological fact, historical context and fun facts. Course goals and expectations were sometimes difficult to define and follow but were easily enough met. Took what could easily have been a touchy and awkward subject and made it very comfortable.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Lots of paperwork was required by my home university to transfer this class as a Gen. Ed requirement and transcripts are continuing to be slow to arrive. But more than worth the paperwork.

Course Name/Rating:	Christianity in the Roman Empire
Course Department:	Rel. 102
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Amazing. On-site learning experiences were some of the highlights of my stay in Italy. Sometime unclear of specific class goals and expectations, but were easily met. Great mix of fun facts, historical context and archeological knowledge. What could potentially have been a touchy subject was made very comfortable for me by the instructor.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Transcripts are slow to arrive and did not automatically get transferred to my school. Still awaiting official transcript. Lots of paperwork required by my school to count as Gen. ed. requirements.