Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Latin lives, and this is its home! Past Review

By (Classics, Drama, Franciscan University of Steubenville) - abroad from 06/11/2012 to 07/12/2013 with

AIRC: Rome - Interdisciplinary Semester in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of competence reading and speaking Latin: my ability with the language has not been the same since! It was more than worth my while!

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.

Top notch instructor, very rigorous

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Not much provided, which was expected, but what was provided was excellent.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any issues.

* 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)

I didn't spend much, but that's because I didn't have much.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 25-40 Euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan on saving at least 100 Euro a week. More if you like to go out for food or drinks.

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

Every day!

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? 300 level college Latin
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? Speak English as little as possible: use Latin all the time. It's difficult, but it will pay off.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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 Eternal City
  • Latine Loqui
  • The site visits
* What could be improved?
  • An all inclusive program (room, board, and tuition together)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to use every minute of every day to learn Latin and to immerse myself while I had the opportunity.

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!