Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Italy is Incredible Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/16/2012 to 07/14/2012 with

Rome Institute of Liberal Arts: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. Any trip abroad is worthwhile and educational. I gained a much better understanding of what it meant to be Italian.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

Bed bugs.

* Food:

They didn't feed us specifically. All food was bought on our own. The food in general in Italy is excellent.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

No real attempts to help us meet Italians.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Cream was purchased for the bites, which was good of them.

* Safety:

Italy is really safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? 500
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Watch out for tourist trap restaurants. You'll pay less and enjoy the food ten times more if you eat at local restaurants.

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

I didn't take the language part myself. I'd imagine it was good though.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? ITL 328
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? Actually try. Don't let people you're talking to switch into English. And don't be afraid to ask them to repeat something.

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

  • Americans
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?
  • The guided tours of museums.
  • Special access to the Vatican.
  • A weekend trip to Siena.
* What could be improved?
  • Housing.
  • Interaction with locals.
  • Social activities that incorporate the whole group. There were issues with cliques developing with the other students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be prepared to fight a lot to make friends with the St. John's students. And also expect to be completely shocked by their classes. It's different.