Best semester of my life Past Review
By Amir F (Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics., Tufts University) for
Trinity College Rome Campus: - Study Abroad in Italy
Completely worthwhile in every way
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
For a classics major, or anyone majoring in art history, history, or italian, you will learn more than you could anywhere else or in any other program. Rome is a living museum, so even if you didnt attend class you'd still come away having learned a lot. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Although we were often yelled at for being too loud or staying out late, in retrospect the staff was great, and worked very hard. They were very concerned with us having a well rounded experience, with classes, cultural field trips, and fun excursions. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The hotel we lived in was amazing. It was more like a small hostel than a hotel (pensione in Italian). The staff cleaned your room daily, and you had everything you needed in your room, usually with a private bathroom. The staff consisted of a lovely Italian family, who were extremely friendly and provided a sort of "host family" if you wanted to practice Italian or needed advice about the neighborhood. The location is one of the best in Rome. |
| * Food: |
It's Italy |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Amazing. Rome is the funnest city I have been to. Best food, night life, and cultural experience out of anywhere I've been. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I got swine flu, but the staff took great care of me while I was sick, and my professors were understanding about my absences. Central Rome is very safe if you keep your wits about you. Girls shouldnt walk home from the bars 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around 100 to 200 euros... only half of that was necessary (meals) the rest went to the cost of going out 2 or 3 times a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Laundry.... it adds up. Half your food is provided, the other half you need to pay for yourself. With all the great restaurants around, it is tempting to try them all... it adds up, but is worth it. Traveling is the most expensive part of going abroad, but Trinity takes you on 3 really nice weekend trips to Florence, Venice, and Capri/Naples/Pompeii, which are all things you would probably have paid for to visit yourself. Budget an additional 400-500 euro per additional trip... I did 3, some people did 4 or 5. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 101 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Practiced with the staff of the hotel I lived in, as well as professors, and locals. Although I spoke English a lot with all the other American students, the neighborhood we lived in was populated by people not associated w/ tourist industry, thus you had to use Italian during daily errands (get coffee, grocery shop, etc). You get out of it what you put in. Some students barely used their Italian, others improved theirs greatly. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | live every day like its your last in Rome. Dont watch Tv on your laptop! Eat at every restaurant! Dont worry about money, spend as much as you can get away with... its worth it |
