Rewarding, but difficult Past Review

By (Villanova University) - abroad from 01/23/2018 to 05/12/2018 with

Arcadia: Rome - Arcadia in Rome

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned to be independent. Yes it was worth it, but never again

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Felt that the hardest part was the language barrier and the style of teaching being so different from that in the states

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Zero connection to students I felt. Never felt comfortable going to them if I needed advice or assistance. Felt like I was on my own.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Could have been in a better location.

* Food:

I cooked, no food was provided except two dinners, a welcome and a farewell

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Forced to interact due to location

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Never experienced, but if I had to I wouldn't know what to do because we were told public doctors were good enough, but no other info was relayed.

* Safety:

Felt like i was in a dangerous neighborhood, but outside of the neighborhood, the city was fine

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

Felt completely lost and felt no help was ever there if needed. Did not feel comfortable going for help.

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)

expensive travel

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

the area we had to live in, no one spoke english

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
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
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?
  • Living in an apartment
* What could be improved?
  • Connection with the students
  • Location of apartments
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That no one will speak english