Incredible Immersive Time in Rome! Past Review
By Yair Koas (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/29/2018 to 05/10/2018 with
IES Abroad: Study Rome - Language & Area Studies
I learned much about Roman History and archaeology, and even had a chance to perform practical archaeology in an internship. Every moment was worthwhile! I learned so much about Italian culture and how to be independent abroad. 100% recommend!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academically rigorous program with great professors and many active field studies! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very good at organizing your abroad experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Apartment style housing with Italian Student Companion - great way to integrate! |
| * Food: |
Food in Rome can be pricey, but if you cook and find great local restaurants it will be great. Some of the best food in the world! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program is primarily American students, so you need to make an effort to meet Italians. There are Italian Student Companions who live with students which is great. I participated in soccer games, as well as training at a local Italian gym and martial arts school. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Rome is a safe city just be weary of pickpockets! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IES was a fantastic program full of great people, academics, and language study. The highlights are the fantastic extracurricular activities run by IES, as well as the field studies where you get to learn on-site during class time many times during the semester. |
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) |
While food and travel can be cheap, it can be difficult to budget in Rome as communal meals and drinks are very common. Just budget in advance and you'l be fine! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
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 |
Great Italian language class - the professors are fantastic! They encourage you to use it outside, but just by going through your day-to-day you will utilize Italian. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 30 (3rd Semester) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | Just know that if you want to make the most of your abroad experience you must take initiative to immerse in the culture outside of academics! |
