LIVING A DREAM Past Review

By (Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 05/04/2012 with

John Cabot University - Study Abroad in Rome, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I grew up so much and gained such new perspective of the world and other cultures.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It depended if and where I traveled to. During the week I cooked a lot so that saved me a lot of money.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to cook during the week when you are at your home base because you will be eating out when you travel on the weekends. Also, travel smartly.

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

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? Try to speak it in your home with the people you live with and practice it often. That is the only way you will improve.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • I loved absolutely everything. Rome was everything I wanted out of a study abroad city and so much more. The people who ran my program were caring and truly wanted each and every one of us to have the best abroad experience.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I should have spoken more Italian in my apartment with my American roommates. I also wish I hadn't committed to a summer job because I would have died to stay in Italy for the summer.