The best 4 months of my life! Past Review
By Dana C (Marketing, University of Maryland - College Park) - abroad from 01/19/2016 to 05/11/2016 with
The American University of Rome: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned so much during my time in Rome. I learned how to be independent, how to immerse myself in another culture, and how to try new things.
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. |
The professors at AUR are great and the classes are both interesting and informative. |
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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? |
I shared an apartment with 5 other girls and it was very nice and spacious. I would have liked being in the same building as other study abroad students, but it was a great experience living with real Italians. |
| * Food: |
AUR does not have a cafeteria but the vending machines on campus include some good options! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living and going to school in such a great location really helped integrate me into the Italian culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no experiences with the health care in AUR or in Rome, but my friends who did had no issues. There were no issues in Rome that made me have to receive a specific vaccine. |
| * Safety: |
Rome, like any other big city, has its unsafe areas, but overall I felt extremely safe there. I walked home from school alone in the evening and was never afraid. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Rome has become one of my favorite cities in the world, and AUR was a wonderful place to go to school. I met amazing people and made unforgettable memories. I wouldnt change a thing about my time abroad. |
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) |
1=Because I traveled every weekend I had a good amount of expenses. However, if I didnt travel as much I could have kept my expenses very low. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I probably spent about $100 on food each week, and $300 on travel each weekend. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | My money saving tip is to buy groceries and cook for yourself during the week to save money for eating out on the weekends. Also, take advantage of student discounts they are everywhere! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | High School Italian Course |
| 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? | The best way to really learn the language is to use it in real life situations. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | 0 |
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 how big Rome was and to not be afraid of it, but embrace it! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
