111 reviews
3.73 / 5 based on 111 reviews
Useful |
2
wikkidnik
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish that I brought less stuff. I was always an over packer but I discovered that I could do a 12 day trip through 4 countries with just a standard sized backpack. You hardly need to bring anything but the very basics... when it comes to traveling youll be glad.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Its unorganized and a big headache, but I met people from every other english speaking university in Rome and from what I hear, they are all pretty much the same. ie john cabbot university. I guess its just the slow paced italian life style where you feel like nothign ever gets done.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Have fun and keep an open mind. Get cheap tickets on Europebyair.com, ryanair.com, and virginexpress.com. Travel as much as possiable, every country is so different and has so much to offer.... eurorails can be good, but i found alot of times its cheaper to fly everywhere if you get the cheap tickets.
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2
Melissa M
Salve Regina University, Newport, United States
Art, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
We went out to eat every single time. THe food was just so good we could nt stop. We got cell phones thru the school, and i bleieve they may have been more than here but im not sure. We also went out every single night, and did lots of shopping and traveled more than i would here
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Food, Housing, Overall, Travel, Nightlife:
was more expensive than at home.
Telephone:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
If you are buying things in the street sometimes you can get people to bring down the price. Eat at smaller places during the day, and save your big meal for the end of the day. Keep an eye on the exchange rate, especailly if you are taking money out on a debit card. Dont buy tourist stuff near the Trevi Fountain, and definitely dont go out to eat in popular tourist places near trevi fountain, Pantheon, or Vatican City
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0
Moses F
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Other
Work opportunities:
It was not legal for me to work
Personal spending habits
Well... I'm from Mississippi. There's not really that much of a comparison between what's available in Rome Italy and what one can find in the state of Mississippi. Yes...each has it's own specific culture and niceties but... I was not about to spare a dime more in that city than I could get away with. It was absolutely amazing.
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Housing, Overall, Nightlife:
was more expensive than at home.
Telephone, Travel, Food:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Make sure you keep up with the exchange rates and what certain ATM's charge for withdrawals. Inform yourselves. My financial surprise occurred when in the beginning of one semester, my loan didn't come on time. I was broke and it was no joke. Luckily I was resourceful and bridged the gap until the funds were on my account.
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0
mjp22
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
Personal savings<br>
Government assistance
Work opportunities:
It was not legal for me to work
Personal spending habits
Less because I ate pizza or bought food from the market and it turned out to be a lot cheaper. I wasn't on the phone as much as I am here in the states. How could I be I was in Rome!! Housing was just a lot more then my apartment here in Buffalo. Being that I am from New York the nightlife is really expensive, although Rome could get a little pricey at times it wasn't nearly as bad. Travel is obviously going to be expensive with trains and planes. Go to RYANAIR.COM, thebest for intercontinental flights in Europe!
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Housing, Travel, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Food, Telephone, Nightlife:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Save the shopping till the end because you will want that money for food and travel!!
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3
Vanv
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning Italian a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Italian
How much did you improve your Italian?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
At the university, all you need is Italian, unless you want to be part of the Italian crowd which, I dont suggest (well, if you like riding around in Mercedes and talking Via Condotti shopping) Out side it was ok, although the Italians dont mesh well with the Americans, it was kind of embarrassing being stared at for being an outsider. If you know the language, your ok but if not only the local pizza place might give you a break, no more than that though. Dont expact to make a lot of local friends-they dont want to mesh with you.
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4
Laura M
Overall
I wish I had known...
That AUR is not very well organized and they do not like to deal with strong willed students. If you have an opinion, they do not care. Also, there are many cliques, the study abroads stay together, the international students stick together, and it is hard to really get to know people there if you aren't into partying.
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In my opinion:
Stay home.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Look elsewhere. If you are looking to enrich your self and your education, there are better options. I intended to transfer permanently to AUR and not even a month into the semester realized this was not a great place to get a degree from.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Do not believe the hype of AURs website. Also, if you are not doing study abroad but choosing to attend independently for a while, make sure that any courses you take can be transferred to a home university. If not, a home university may charge you a large amount to review what is applicable.
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