An Amazing Experience: Wish I could do it again! Past Review
By Elizabeth Cole (University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 05/21/2018 to 06/23/2018 with
Gustolab International: Rome - Critical Studies on Food in Italy Food Systems and Sustainability
This was my first time in Europe, so I was able to learn and understand the European and Mediterranean cultures. I also was able to learn from locals about food systems and sustainability within Italy, and understand the differences between both Italy and the USA. I loved everything about my experience with Gustolab and Rome, it was defenitly worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This is such a unique program and especially interesting if you are into food, culture or sustainability. Plus, the school is within the city center, and housing is at the most a thirty-minute walk. You get to experience Rome in such a unique way as well. Also, I made lifetime friends in the program as well! |
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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to budget yourself for both food, necessities and spending money, when you first arrive so you don't go through all your money too fast in the beginning! |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | I took up to French 4 in High School. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Use a language learning app, such as Babbel or Duolingo. They are super helpful, and not very time-consuming! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 0 |
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? | I wish I knew what the classes and my schedule would have been before the program started. The schedule was not shown until the first day of the program. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
