A Whirlwind Experience Abroad Past Review
By Kathleen Stone (Marketing, Saint Leo University) - abroad from 08/23/2017 to 12/09/2017 with
John Cabot University - Study Abroad in Rome, Italy
I would say that overall, my study abroad experience was worthwhile. Although if I had the choice to do it all over again, I would choose to go to a different university, this experience really was a once in a lifetime experience. The opportunity to be able to be in Italy - someplace I dreamed about going to since my first Italian class in high school - and travel to places I didn't even think about going was incredible.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in a university owned apartment with 8 other roommates in the Roman neighborhood of Trastevere amongst actually Italian families. |
| * Food: |
Purchased a meal plan at the university which wasn't worth it, since there were better, more cost effective options close to the university and my apartment |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Had to purchase separate health insurance for Italy |
| * Safety: |
Housing had 24/7 armed security guards, there were some safety issues with other students at the university dealing with the locals. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I did not like the university that I studied at while I was there. Overall the educational experience at the school was not at all what I expected it to be, learned more from travelling to different cities throughout Europe than I did in an actual classroom. |
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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be prepared to spend more than you think you will if you are planning on studying abroad in a major city and plan on travelling. Also, look into having a debit/credit card with a bank that doesn't charge you for foreign transaction fees. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | The school has a lot of degree seekers, it's not just made up of study abroad students. |
