Life while you're young! Past Review
By bldonovan7 (Criminal Justice and Corrections., Thomas College) - abroad from 01/07/2014 to 05/03/2014 with
API (Academic Programs International): Rome - John Cabot University
The other side of the world is a whole different place than I ever imagined. It was worth it to go out and live life to the fullest while you have the opportunity to do so.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Professors were very helpful during and after classtimes. Though some are hard to understand with their accents. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lucked out with housing. Great neighborhood, shops all around and easy commute to public transportation. Others may say different. |
| * Food: |
The food at John Cabot isn't good at all. I do not reccommend eating in the dining center and/or getting a meal plan. The food outside of the school is delicious though! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very integrated! Culture shock was real the first few weeks and it took some getting used to, but I came around to it once I got to know my way around Rome and the school. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I did not have an issue with safety. As long as you avoid tiny back alleys at 3am, and don't put yourself into a bad situation, you will be fine. |
| 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) |
Italy is very expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $150.00 a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go out to eat for every meal! |
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 |
Just tried my hardest to understand and learn Italian. |
| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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? | Everything you need, you can buy here. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
