A Sentimental Journey Through Italy Past Review
By Dan M (Secondary Education, LaSalle University) - abroad from 01/28/2015 to 05/12/2015 with
The American University of Rome: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I attempted to learn as much as possible about Roman arts (past and contemporary), history, and culture. Rome is a city of layers and I felt as I learned more about the layers of the city, I learned more about the layers of myself, beginning with my independence which was certianly tested being abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
While I enjoyed all my classes, I was only truly academically challenged in my English class. However, I believe this is more a nature of many classes being composed of TOO many study abroad students rather than neccessarily a weakness of the faculty. I was truly impressed by almost all of my professors and the wide range of experience that they possessed. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The student life office was very helpful and prompt to answer any questions about classes, housing, or just Italian life. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartments are very nice- spacious and comfortable. You don't really get much of a say for roommates which would have been nicer but overall, great. There is a cleaning lady which was a very welcome surprise. The apartments are old and sometimes have problems but housing was always very prompt to fix any issues. |
| * Food: |
Loved the food of Italy-- who doesn't? And even cooking here was great becasue the ingredients are all fresh and there are so many markets and fresh food options available. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My Italian is not great which made it difficult to integrate with the culture. Also, not many actual Italians attend the American University so you are not neccessarily meeting people in class. You have to work to get out of the bubble |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Rome is a city and has city problems. If you like cities, you'll love Rome. |
| 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? | 50-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cooking at home is the best way to save money. You don't want to miss the experiences of the restaurants, cafes, and museums. In my mind, these are not wasted expenses. But you can save for them by making yourself breakfast and lunch everyday and only eating out occassionally. |
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 |
They encourage you to get into the Italian community but there were only limited school-moderated events to actually speak Italian. But since one of the best parts of the university IS that classes are taught in English, it is hard to complain. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Italian 102 |
| 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? | I think it is essential that you have a working knowledge of basic Italian before you come. My trouble was I had a below-working knowledge so it took time to get there. I also regret not taking a more challenging Italian class to FORCE me to learn the language. Because it is the BEST way to enter the culture and is SO helpful. |
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 knew a little more about day-to-day Italian culture so I could have understood some idiocyncrocies earlier. I also wish I spoke more Italian so I could have intergrated with the culture more. |
