Enjoying Roma via ISA Past Review

By (Marketing., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) for

ISA Study Abroad in Rome, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am so thankful I decided to study abroad in Italy through ISA. The experience was once-in-a-lifetime! I hope to return to Italy, and other parts of the world, in the coming years. I met a few great friends whom I still keep in touch with today. Thanks ISA!

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We were placed in a move-in ready apartment complete with beds, pillows, linens, dishes, pots/pans, computer w/ internet, etc. The only thing we had to bring was towels! The apartment was spacious enough for 5 girls and the 1 bathroom seemed to work OK once we got our routine down.

* Food:

There was a pizzeria a block over from AUR that had the most fantastic pizza I had while in Italy. It's called Pizzeria da Simone--amazing! There is a deli nearby as well that makes amazing turkey/pesto/mozzarella sandwiches.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Numerous field trips/excursions were set up by ISA taking us to other regions of Italy including Florence/Tuscany, Assisi, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri. Some day trips were also available, but we didn't take advantage of them.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

I was enrolled in an "Italian 101" course with other study abroad students. All of my roommates were taking the same course (with different teachers) so we could all practice together. Though we didn't need to speak Italian in most parts of Italy, we tried to whenever we could.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans