A once in a life time chance to ROME the world. Past Review
By Taylor C (University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 05/05/2012 with
API (Academic Programs International): Rome - John Cabot University
It was so worthwhile, I learned to just be more open to new things and new cultures.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
While aboard, I expected my classes to be light and not require much work, but when I got to John Cabot my expectations were proven to be dead wrong; my classes were actually even harder than they are back home. For a few of my classes I had to do term papers, for which I could only use book sources from the library. The library, while they are trying to make it bigger, is very small; if you do not get there earlier in the day, you will not be able to get a seat since it fills so quickly, especially if it is finals week. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
A little unorganized, but overall they were great. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment I lived in was a wonderful place, it was just so far from John Cabot. |
| * Food: |
If you are looking for me to rate the food of my host country, it was beyond wonderful, but having to shop at the grocery store each week was quite expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I became so accustomed to the Italian way of life that I really never wanted to leave at all. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There was not one time while in Rome that I felt unsafe in any way. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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 had to limit myself towards the end when I started to run out of money but for the most part I would spend between $150-200 or around 225 euros per week. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure to plan out your traveling smartly, you do not want to blow all your money on a few trips! But you should also stay in your host city and really get to know it, mine was by far my favorite city in the world and there is no doubt that I will be back there soon! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Most people spoke English, but we would every now and again encounter people who didn't so we were able to use the language then. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| 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? | Get away from the tourist areas, and find the culturally rich and authentic area of your host city! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | nothing |
