Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

challenging but very good if you are self reliant November 29, 2023

By (Italian, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/04/2023 to 06/30/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Rome

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned self reliance, adaptability, and I am very very happy with my improvement in Italian

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

My program was very small (only 1 other non-middlebury student) there was not much support, Sapienza was confusing and the program headquarters were located in Florence

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60-$100 not including all the out of country weekend trips i went on
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? do your own grocery shopping and cooking

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

we signed a language pledge

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? intermediate 0300 level
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? preply tutors

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • language learning
  • cultural emersion
  • travel opportunity
* What could be improved?
  • student support
  • academic offering
  • cultural experiences
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This program is HARD, academics were not like imagined at Sapienza. They seemed more primitive and overall Italian academics were of much worse quality than Middlebury

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Italian & European Agricultural Development
Course Department: International politics
Instructor: FRANCO MARI
Instruction Language: italian
Comments: it was challenging course material. There was a field trip to a farm. The teacher was knowledgeable but I wish more practical material was discussed over theory. Several lectures was literally the professor reading stats off of ISTA. During the final exam which was oral prof mari asked me 2 questions than gave me an A+
Credit Transfer Issues: idk middlebury wont let me see my transcript
Course Name/Rating:

Italian immigration & emigration | race & identity
Course Department: italian
Instructor: Igiaba Scego
Instruction Language: italian
Comments: it was challenging. we had many field trips and the teacher was knowledgeable. I participated more often than i would have in Vermont
Credit Transfer Issues: idk Middlebury wont let me see my transcript
Course Name/Rating:

Strategies in International Cooperation
Course Department: international politics
Instructor: Noschese & Petrovic
Instruction Language: italian
Comments: it was not challenging. The first half of the course was content that was interesting where we studied italian and european immigration issues. The second half was theory on project formulation and management and was incredibly boring. The final was on making our own made up humanitarian project and submitting a grant request.
Credit Transfer Issues: idk Middlebury wont let me see my transcript