Student/tourist in Rome Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/10/2016 to 06/03/2016 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Rome

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learnt to cook and most of all I feel very confident in my Italian.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Rigorous but not enough resources for independent academic development.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Rome is a good city for vegans

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have health issues.

* Safety:

Did not feel safe walking late in the night by myself.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

It gave me enough time to go out and explore the city in any way I wanted.

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 not a challenge, but I did keep expenses short.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? average of 100 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? cook for yourself

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? 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? Third year italian
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? Just commit to it.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • the students in the program
  • the support form professors
* What could be improved?
  • Better communication between the program and the local university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Locals are not very interested in international students because there's plenty of them.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Scenografia Virtuale

Course Department: Letteratura
Instructor: Luca Ruzza
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: It was very challenging to complete this course not because of the content but because the lack of communication ad resources. The instructor seemed to be bothered with student inquiries specially those coming from international students.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues with the credit.