Amazing Past Review
By Brianna Menssen (Gustavus Adolphus College) - abroad from 01/15/2019 to 05/17/2019 with
SAI Study Abroad: Rome - John Cabot University (JCU)
I learned so much, I learned how to be independent, embrace a new culture, make new friends. It was amazing, definitely worthwhile
Review Photos
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. |
My classes were very good and I was pushed academically but in a good way. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Lots of excursions, very nice that our program leaders were so open to us coming and talking to us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We had a very nice apartment in a great location. Everything was very updated and whenever we had a problem they came to fix it right away. |
| * Food: |
Food was amazing, all the pasta, pizza, suppli, gelato, everything was awesome. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was hard to find my place in the culture because I did not know the language. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick once and went to the pharmacy and they were able to help. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved it, I wish I could go back and do it all again |
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) |
I would say I spend about $25 on groceries a week, very doable, the only issue was how much money I spent on traveling. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $25 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan trips in advance, don't go out to eat all the time |
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 |
They said we should but not many people knew the language. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Take a class beforehand |
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? | 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? | To learn the language |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
