Coffee the Italian way! Past Review
By Chdillon (Italian Language, Literature; Religious Studies, Art History, Internship Abroad, Wofford College) - abroad from 02/01/2016 to 05/20/2016 with
IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies
I learned how to adapt to new places, people, and cultures! I learned how to handle things going wrong in unfamiliar places and then navigating countries where I didn't speak a lick of the language! Most importantly, I learned how to communicate across cultures in social and professional environments!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The work is not too hard but very interesting! The only time i needed to truly buckle down was during exam time! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They are pretty organized and always get stuff that needs to be done done! It might seem different just because of the cultural differences but they are efficient (in an Italian way)! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing is great! I probably wont be in an apartment that nice for a few years after I graduate! IES did a great job of grouping roommates! |
| * Food: |
THE FOOD IN ROME IS AMAZING!! IES provides food on like three occasions and it is always phenomenal! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I lived with one Italian in addition to four other Americans. She was our own Roman guide to EVERYTHING ITALIAN! I felt that I was able to truly get in touch with my Italian side and the Italian culture in general! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick and had a tooth problem! IES has a health consultant on site and she was great! She made me appointments at the doctor and dentists and everything went so smoothly! |
| * Safety: |
I never really felt unsafe! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Although not every aspect of my program may have gone exactly how I would have wanted them to go... I wouldn't change a thing! I left Rome with a new outlook on the world and more developed values! I'm so happy to have taken part in this program, and to have met the people i did! |
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) |
Living on a student budget is super easy! I walked most places or took the metro or busses... you can get a monthly pass for 35 euro... And in terms of eating it just depends on how much you want to eat out! Eating in is super cheap and produce in the expensive super markets in rome is still cheaper than home! The only thing that really can cost you is traveling so you just need to book early! Italy is generally a pretty cheap place! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | between 15-25 on food (if i ate out!) and 50-150 per weekend travel |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Fly cheap, stay in hostels, eat in-- learn how to cook the local cuisine! and ask locals or staff at the center how to avoid tourist traps that will cost 3 times as much as something 10 time better! |
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 |
I didnt know any italian going in but I learned a good amount there! The only time I was expected to use it was in Italian class! |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | NONE |
| 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? | Before hand look up useful phrases and words! And when you get there get out of your comfort zone and just use the language! Locals usually LOVE it! |
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? |
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? | You cannot expect to see it all! Think about how many weekends you have and plan accordingly! |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
