Digging up new experiences Past Review

By (Archaeology/Italian, University of Toronto) - abroad from 06/10/2013 to 07/21/2013 with

AIRC: Rome - Interdisciplinary Semester in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Asides from the in depth field school and its ability to create well balanced archaeologists, the overall experience of living in Rome and interacting with new people proved beneficial to any one planning to broaden their own horizons. Being able to eat, sleep and eat everything Roman allowed me to reach out of my comfort zone and really appreciate Italian culture on a whole new level. Experiencing what the ancient city had to offer while making new friends as the trip went along was fantastic.

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.

exceptional. First week of in depth study of the city of Rome would turn any skeptic immediately into a classics buff. 5 weeks of field school proved to be absolutely vital in creating a well prepared and organized archaeologist out of anyone.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartments completely exceeded my expectations. So much room for activities!

* Food:

We feasted like royalty in the town of Ostia

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We were embraced with open arms into the town of Ostia, made it so much more bearable for any one feeling a little home sick.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Albert was on his game. Made sure each and every student was taken care of if illness occurred.

* Safety:

First week of digging was concentrated around safety on the dig site. Experts came to lecture us on safety hazards. We practiced several different ways of safe digging. I would suggest to any future student that they bring knee pads as they proved to be essential in prolonging the average archaeologists life span on the dig site.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? shop at local grocery stores and cook for yourself, treat your self to dinner at a restaurant once or twice a week

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
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • organization
  • quality of education
  • accommodation
* What could be improved?
  • lower tuition
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? pack lighter and expect the unexpected.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.