Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great way to acquire oral Latin! Past Review

By (Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods., California State University - Fresno) - abroad from 06/12/2013 to 07/01/2013 with

AIRC: Rome - Interdisciplinary Semester in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can speak Latin. Yes.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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)

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

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? graduate level
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? review/read the suggested texts

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

  • 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?
  • The day trips were wonderful.
  • Integrating our class with the archaeology students and their instructor was good.
  • The shared lunches and hosted dinners/meals were great!
* What could be improved?
  • The instructor could have handled the students better.
  • A more thorough screening of students should have been conducted. If you can't pay for the course tuition, you should not be allowed to participate. There was no accountability for that student. If a student is disruptive, she should have been sent home or dismissed from the class.
  • Textbooks used were not readily available. Either we should have them provided in Italy (and the cost of them built into the program), copies should be made for the students, or they should not be used at all.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that the requirements for me were not required of all students. I wish my instructor would have protected me from the bullying of woman student from Florida.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'