Rollercoaster Past Review
By Hillary K (Business Finance, Trinity University) - abroad from 08/28/2012 to 12/14/2012 with
IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies
Learned how to be independent and deal with stressful issues like navigating foreign cities, transportation screw ups, day-to-day living. yes, it was very worthwhile.
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: |
I cooked for myself, so that wasn't really a reflection on the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I enjoyed going out and meeting the locals, but it's hard to blend in when you're obviously American. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
You will get pickpocketed. At the very least someone you know will. But anything other than petty crime was pretty unsubstantial. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Ranging on the week and eating in v eating out: $30-$50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | do make a budget! |
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? | summer italian 101 |
| 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? | it's fun to try and practice it - do it! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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? | That homesickness/loneliness does happen - and the only way to get over it is to make yourself get more involved |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
