Rome Past Review
By Emily G (Architecture, University of Massachusetts Amherst) for
Pantheon Institute: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My experience was worthwhile, gaining understanding of cultural priorities in other countries while still getting the classes that would keep me on schedule with my major. If I could do it again, I would choose a program with either host families or a larger emphasis on language.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload wasn't bad compared to standard architecture programs. The architectural analysis program could have used more notification of grades. |
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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? |
I lived in a building with 3 flats. Each flat housed +/-15 people in rooms of 2-4. It was a great neighborhood but a 20-30min walk to classes. We didn't need to buy things to settle in but the provided appliances and cookware were damaged or barely worked. It is impossible to keep any sense of cleanliness and order in an apartment with that many people, and there was little if any interference by housing administration. |
| * Food: |
There was no plan option. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
I had to go see an Italian dentist, and the school set up the appointment. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I got very little chance to practice Italian. Almost everyone spoke English to do their job, but oftentimes when there was a problem neither they nor I had enough grasp of the other's language to communicate. We only received 4 hours per week of Italian class and it did not focus on everyday conversation. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program is good, but if you want to assimilate to Italian culture you will need to find your own way to live like a local. |
