The best experience of my life Past Review
By Paola G (Communications, University of Texas - El Paso / UTEP) - abroad from 05/25/2014 to 06/27/2014 with
Veritas Christian Study Abroad: Rome - Study Abroad and Missions Program
I learned a lot about myself, and how independent I could be. I had never felt like I was in the right place, at the right time, as I did in Rome. Going to Rome was worth every penny, sacrifice, and ANY effort I put towards it.
Review Photos
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The ISA on-site staff were AWESOME |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel like I wasn't in the country long enough to really immerse myself in the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Always follow your gut, and keep an eye on your things ALWAYS. |
| 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) |
I overspent way more than I should, but I still never found myself extremely tight on cash. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | approximately 250 euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend too much money on souvenirs, and try to travel cheap. |
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? | 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? | 2 level French only. |
| 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? | Always make an effort to speak the language to locals, and make sure to learn useful phrases in the host language. |
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? | That time flies by so fast. Had I known then how fast time goes, and how perfectly fine I would be on my own in Rome I would have taken the leap and stayed for a semester or a whole year. |
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. |
