Go Abroad! Past Review

By (Cornell University) - abroad from 01/10/2012 to 05/04/2012 with

API (Academic Programs International): Rome - John Cabot University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YES!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I had 3 international professors (2 British ones and a Danish one) and 2 Italian professors. The international professors were pretty good and well qualified. The Italian ones were awful. The administration at John Cabot couldn't run a kindergarten class if they really wanted to. They are really rigid about attendance and many absurd rules. That said, I did learn alot in my on-site Ancient Rome class with a great professor.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

API was fine. They trips they ran are pretty good but they don't offer much else.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My apartment had no common room and had 7 girls living in it. It was really far from the University and even further from night life. It was located behind a school so we were woken up before 8 every morning when they kids played outside. They provided no housekeeping service (which every other program in Rome did).

* Food:

It's Italy! Although, don't step foot in the John Cabot cafeteria!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not at all.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Insurance doesn't go through and the medical care is pretty poor. If you have a real issue, go to Switzerland.

* Safety:

No problems.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

traveling is expensive

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Book your weekend trips as far in advance as you can

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

Only in class.

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?

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

  • 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?
  • Being in Italy
* What could be improved?
  • John Cabot Administration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not to live in API housing