Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life changing experience! Past Review

By (University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign) - abroad from 09/01/2017 to 12/15/2017 with

Gustolab International: Rome - Institute for Food Studies Semester and Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Gained knowledge and experience of what life is like outside of the US!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses weren't too difficult; focused more on learning, cultural integration, and overall experience than percentages and letter grades.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They kept us in touch and made sure we were organized and had a great experience.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great, I enjoyed my roommates and my overall location in the city.

* Food:

It was Italy, food was incredible

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was accessible and the school helped to handle everything.

* Safety:

Never felt unsafe while abroad

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 difficult, just have self-restraint

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

We were encouraged to use it everyday!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The trips and adventures we were able to go on throughout Italy!
* What could be improved?
  • -
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That you should be prepared to walk! Get yourself some good walking shoes!

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 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.