The Best Year of my Life! Past Review
By Fran H (Marketing & International Business, Loyola University Chicago) - abroad from 08/29/2012 to 04/26/2013 with
Loyola University Chicago: Rome - John Felice Rome Center
Everything about my time at the JFRC was worthwhile. I met my best friends who will be in my life forever, I learned how to step outside of my comfort zone, gained language skills, and cultural experience. I also had a marketing internship which gave me insight into what it is like to work in a foreign office.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were relatively easier than my courses in Chicago. Classes are only held Monday-Thursday which is great for travel. Teachers were all very friendly and engaging. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration is wonderful and very helpful. They plan fantastic trips, outings and events for the students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Dorms are standard, comparable to a freshmen dorm on a college campus. Two people per room with community bathrooms. Rooms have ample closet/drawer space, two desks, two chairs, two lamps, two beds, a sink, and they provide towels/blankets/sheets/pillows. |
| * Food: |
Food is typical cafeteria style, with an Italian twist. There is always pasta & pizza, but there are lots of vegetables, a salad bar, etc. (It is possible to eat healthily!) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You will live in a neighborhood that is about a 25 minute bus ride (or 2 miles) from the center of the city. It is located on a hill which is gorgeous. You lived with all American students, so if you are looking to meet Italians you have to get off campus and do so on your own. There are many opportunities to tutor students in English or to be tutored in Italian. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The Campus is about a 10 minute walk away from a local and VERY nice hospital. The insurance that they make you buy ahead of time covers everything. |
| * Safety: |
Rome is very safe, as is the campus. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
This changes with the exchange rate. When I was there, it was 1.4 dollars/Euro, so it was pretty expensive. I budgeted about $1000/month, this included extra meals outside of the school's meal plan, travel, going out at night, etc. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Stay in hostels, travel on budget airlines, don't get sucked in to tourist traps! |
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 |
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| 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? | Speak it with everyone whenever you can! |
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? | 10+ |
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? | That I was never going to want to come back to the United States! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
