Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I love Rome. IES was pretty okay Past Review

By (Trinity University) - abroad from 02/01/2016 to 05/20/2016 with

IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Confidence. Desire to travel. Inspiration to take action about my future. Desire to learn more languages. It was completely worthwhile.

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.

Students did not take class too seriously. Classes were easier than at home, but they should be. Otherwise, you can't experience life abroad.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Hmm...there were only problems with the administration in the way they refused to handle issues with my housing.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved the apartment, but the wifi was terrible and IES did not help.

* Food:

I bought my own food. Groceries are affordable in Rome.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

well, I suppose.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didnt get sick, but people who did were treated well and taken seriously.

* Safety:

I felt perfectly safe in Rome, even late at night walking home with friends.

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

But mainly because it was easy enough that I could spend time traveling and exploring. Which is very important. We'll see about my grades though...

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)

I spent about 50 a week on groceries, most of the time less if I tried. I spent the rest of my money on travel and going out. But there is a lot to do for free in Rome. I spent about 30 euro a month on an italian cell phone plan.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep a log for the first month of all your expenses and factor in future expenses to see how far you can stretch your money.

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

It was really up to you how much you tried. You can get by in Rome without much Italian.

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 0
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? Practice with ISCs, out in public, read books in the language, watch movies and listen to music in the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* 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?
  • managable workload
  • living with an ISC
  • my apartment/neighborhood
* What could be improved?
  • internship management with classes
  • inability to take intensive language with an internship
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not sure

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 Urbanite
A 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.