I want to go back as soon as I can Past Review
By Patricia Bedsole (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 05/25/2016 to 07/29/2016 with
Arcadia: Rome - Arcadia in Rome Summer
How to live somewhere completely foreign on my own, balance money, directions, cope with a conflict, travel, understand people different from me, sociology and how it is relevant everywhere, legal systems, family structure, how to use public transit; YES
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. |
The subject matter wasn't particularly hard, but there definitely was a lot of stuff to learn and the classes were jam packed and active. I had to pay attention, definitely was not a blow off course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
First of all, they were SO SO nice, but just not very organized or prompt at getting back to me, especially before I went to the program. It was a little difficult, but I learned a lot from it |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It just wasn't what I was expecting when going abroad. The neighborhood was nice, once I got used to it, but I thought I would be more central to Rome and not in a neighborhood. The apartment was also kind of barren, some appliances didn't work and there wasn't a ton of furniture. But it made for a great experience and we honestly got around. It was awesome. |
| * Food: |
Yes, so good. Oh my goodness |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I definitely felt more integrated towards the end. It was great and I didn't want to leave. I could walk around Rome ALONE and feel confident. It took a lot of time to get used to though. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health care was very easy to get, the program was great about it (even though I did not need it); everything was easy and helped me get better fast |
| * Safety: |
Pick-pocketers, wouldn't be alone at night (much like the US), but it wasn't bad; as soon as I learned the norms, I knew how to be proactive and feel confident |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I wouldn't trade the experiences for the world |
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 definitely spent more than a student's budget and will have loans to prove it |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 euros, 400 including travel costs |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save up before and get a job as soon as you get back; eat light throughout the week and splurge on the weekends; also, travel even if it is expensive |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | You will miss home so much, but its ok You'll come back a different person, and that's ok |
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.' |
