Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Extracurricular Experience Outside of My Major! Past Review

By (Double, Political Science & Rhetoric, University of California - Berkeley) - abroad from 06/13/2010 to 07/23/2013 with

AIRC: Rome - Interdisciplinary Semester in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Even though archaeology was not my major, I always had a significant appreciation and interest in the discipline. The program was worthwhile because it taught me a lot about a discipline that I would have pursued if my life were different and pleased my appetite for Italian history and culture that I don't feel I would have gotten had I gone through my University's study abroad program. I was taught by experts and genuine Italian/Roman historians and this is something many do not get the opportunity to do.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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? Yes

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)

My rating is based on the fact that during the time I traveled, the economic situation in the U.S. made the dollar significantly worth less in Euros. Thus, traveling expenses were much more difficult for a student budget at the time.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 40 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you haven't already, take out a credit card that you can charge travel expenses to so that you are able to travel outside of the area. And you can start making smaller payments towards large expenses post-travel.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Experts in the field taught and facilitated
  • Practical, hands-on experience in the field versus classroom/text-book learning
* What could be improved?
  • Preparation advising - especially for students that have never been there/to Europe
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How expensive things would be - like a sample list of daily/weekly expenses I would be expected to budget (i.e. grocery bill, transportation, night/weekend entertainment). Suggested traveling itineraries/methods (airlines, trains, etc.)

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!