Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A new perspective Past Review

By (Public Relations, Advertising, Applied Communication, Vanguard University of Southern California) - abroad from 08/24/2015 to 12/12/2015 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Rome, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad gave me a new perspective on school and culture. I realized that I took a lot of things for granted at my home institution and did not appreciate themas much as I should. It has also taught me no matter where you are you need to make the best of it. Coming into an apartment with 5 other guys and not knowing any of them made for an interesting experience and one I would not trade for anything. I become so close to with my roommates and can say with out a doubt life long friends. From going to class together to traveling the world together we have all been there for each other experiencing life. I would definitely say that my time abroad has been worthwhile. I can say that I am going home with valuable knowledge not only form the classroom but also real world experience. You spend so many years in school learning different things, its nice to be able to put those things to use in world situations and apply them to everyday life. I feel that here in Rome through study abroad I was able to do that.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about 100 euro a week on food and going out

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

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

* 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

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • being able to travel
  • The classes were easy but still taught you a lot
* What could be improved?
  • Italian classes should focus more on everyday usage rather than only focusing on the book
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think coming over here I really enjoyed the uncertainty of coming to live abroad. The only thing I would do differently is maybe learn a couple key phrases in Italian before coming over here

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.