Best decision of my life! Past Review
By Shelby E (The American University of Rome) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/13/2014 with
The American University of Rome: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Living and studying in Rome along with traveling around Europe completely changed my life. To say that it was the best thing I have ever done for myself is an understatement. I learned more about life, myself, and the world in 4 months than I have throughout 16 years of attending school in America. I left Rome with a greater appreciation for our world and the people and places that make it so diverse. I learned to embrace differences rather than fear them, and I gained a stronger understanding and appreciation for my personal life and roots. Studying abroad was absolutely worthwhile. I honestly believe that studying abroad is a crucial step in personal and educational growth in order to become an all around more cultured and intelligent person.
Review Photos
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 |
One of the best things about The American University of Rome is the on-site administration. AUR is a very small, tight knit community, and you get to know the professors and administration on a personal level. The student life organization at AUR is also top notch. They immerse you into the Italian culture and continually provide activities, events, and trips outside of Rome throughout the semester. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing situation at AUR is a little bit different and non-traditional compared to other American universities. Instead of having a dormitory, AUR places their students in apartments around Rome. The downfall of this is that the apartments are spread out and not near each other. However, all of the apartments are close to campus, and it was a great way to truly experience the Italian culture and live like a "true Italian". |
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The food in Rome needs to explanation whatsoever. I have never eaten so well in my LIFE. There is no meal plan at AUR. But this is a positive thing. You do not need one! The food in Rome/Italy in unlike anything else in the world. Take advantage of that! |
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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: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 40-50 Euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Study abroad expenses comes down to how well you budget yourself. Do not worry about the USD to Euro money exchange rate! Everything in Rome is so much cheaper than in the United States that it evens itself out. Example: gelato in Rome is 2 Euro and two scoops of ice cream in the USA is $5-6....just saying. Go out a few times a week, and then other nights save money by cooking pasta or other easy Italian dishes with friends or attending one of the SEVERAL FREE cooking classes (aka free meal) that AUR offers! |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I went to AUR with no prior knowledge of the Italian language. |
| 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 that AUR recommended, or required, study abroad students to take an Italian language course. Luckily, when I arrived in Rome, I dropped one of my art classes and enrolled in an Italian Language course last minute once I realized how important it was for me to be able to communicate with basic Italian. However, a lot of my friends did not take an Italian language course and wish that they had, as it made life in Rome easier and more enjoyable. |
