The Best Expierence That Could Ever Happen! Past Review
By A student (Classical Studies, Trinity University) - abroad from 01/27/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
Trinity College Rome Campus: - Study Abroad in Italy
That though there are people who are not the same mindset as me, we can still get along. That I can do anything I want, as long as I have the motivation to do it, even if I am doing everything by myself. Yes, it was possibly the most worthwhile thing I will ever do in my college career.
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. |
Overall the program was great, but the students only cared about drinking and partying while the program director did nothing to stop their rule-breaking behavior in the compound. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators were very approachable and wonderful overall, they would do anything they could to help you in any way. However I didn't feel that they were strict enough with the rules of the convent compound were we stayed, which make it awkward when interacting with the nuns at times. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The convent is centrally placed in Rome, easy walking distance to everything and very secure. The nuns were very nice (until you broke their rules) and were happy to assist if you needed to call a cab or just general Italian help. Most students got a single room with their own bathroom, that was cleaned for them once a week and also a sheet and towel change once a week. |
| * Food: |
We were given breakfast and lunch at the convent cafeteria 5 days of the week and all of the food was AMAZING! For dinner we were given meal coupons which worked around town as a free meal at restaurants. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program was always planning some type of outing into Roman culture or even trips to other cities! I went to two Italian plays, Venice for a entire school trip, the Garden of Ninfa, the opera, a marathon and much more. There is always something fun to do! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe while I was in the city (at least after I got used to it) and this was helped by the placement of the convent to everywhere else. Also the resident fellow, Tunde, was good at giving safety advice if you needed it. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
It was easy for me to live on a budget in Rome because I was very cautious about the amount of money I was spending, and it wasn't until the last two weeks that I was in the city that I actually spent most of my cash, knowing that I would have enough to get by with, |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Less than 20 Euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to go to Volpetti's and make their sandwiches last for two days instead of just one, that way you can spend less money. Also do not go out every night to drink and party and don't buy a bunch of gifts right off the bat, wait until you are almost done with the program and than spend your money. |
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 |
Though the classes were all in English all the administration and nuns are Italian born speakers so it is easier to learn the language and speak it to them than try and make them understand English. |
| 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? | Advanced Latin |
| 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? | Start learning before you go, if it is with Rosetta Stone or just a dictionary, and while you are there talk to the nuns in Italian, or get a children's book in Italian to read and speak. The program also offers an internship option, that is a great way to learn and keep it up! |
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? | 0 |
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? | That most people are there to party, not learn. |
