Greatest Experience of My Life Past Review
By Tessa Dipallina (University of Connecticut) - abroad from 01/15/2019 to 05/11/2019 with
SAI Study Abroad: Rome - John Cabot University (JCU)
Cultures are so important to learn- and they really aren't that different!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were educational without being too rigorous. JCU had a library that had my textbook needs. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Amazing and so accommodating and interactive! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Friendly house cleaners and spacious apartments! Noise level is to be as expected living in a city. |
| * Food: |
Every meal was amazing. No need to worry about gluten allergies- Italians do not bleach their flour! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Lived right in the middle of the city with no campus. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Did not directly apply to me, but very accommodating for my friends! |
| * Safety: |
Always be cautious in a city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would not have it any other way, the program made the experience. |
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) |
If you are used to working throughout the semester- you better save up! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 for food |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Create a budget for yourself ahead of tie so you know how much to save and how much to spend. |
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 |
My class was very interactive. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | I had not taken an Italian language course prior. |
| 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? | Download Duolingo ahead of time- even if you plan to take a language course this will be helpful for when you first land in the airport! |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how much there is to see within Italy because I could have planned more trips or extended my stay. |
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. |
