111 reviews
3.73 / 5 based on 111 reviews
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1
Moses F
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Rome is full of things to do in both day and night. Many of the clubs around the Testacchio area are really nice. A lot of actors and models sometimes show up there. Best cafes... I'd say make it personal. Get to know certain bars and meet the people that work there.. You'll come to find out that the personalities come forward as you frequent certain places.
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2
Moses F
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
I like the experience of integrating myself into the society where I'm living. I like to take responsibility for myself and as an artist I feel that I need my own space separate from that of living with a family who may be willing to host me.
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Personal comments
Living with other students is OK if you need a boost. I preferred to find my own housing based on my personal financial situation. In all actuality I paid much less than the offered student housing.
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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, Nightlife, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Food, Telephone, Travel:
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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4
Moses F
Academic
Course recommendations
I would say that as an artist... I found the totem pole idea too difficult. Many of the professors have agendas that don't really include integrating the students into exhibitions or finally helping them along after they've graduated. That's probably just a personal critique that I experienced. But it's seriously a point to look at once you've graduated and see where other students from other schools have made successes.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
The academic life for an independent artist such as myself...it's hard to say how to improve upon it. When I recognized how one must keep quiet rather than speak out and be a bit different, I was a bit discouraged. Yes an improvement would be for the teachers to not hide pertinent information from the students. There's absolutely no room for it. My personal experience would have been that they just set me free in Rome to explore and create a body of work that would have had a guaranteed exhibition where more than just the faculty and staff were to be invited. You can have the most beautiful or meaningful painting...but if no one sees it... hmmm.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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0
Moses F
Overall
I wish I had known...
American University is a very expensive school from my standpoint. Without financial support from lenders it would not have been possible. As an artist... it's not which school you attended but the connections that you have that forward you along in life. Your ideas will always be your own. Universities can provide helpful solutions to getting your name out there...but it's not often enough that artists are in the right circles in order to succeed. Thus the struggling artists who after Grad school wishes he/she had spent the money otherwise and continued art as a side hobby. NOT ME.. it's all or nothing.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The Art Department in Rome isn't well coordinated with the Washington DC - American University location. I feel that if they are offering art classes they should be fully cooperative with the wishes and needs of hungry students who want more than just to sit and sip coffee at local bars and live the coveted artists life.
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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
Please research and find out from other students who have studied your courses how they found the program. I feel that the Art program was one of the more difficult because unlike marketing...it's not all written out in black and white. Art must be lived and experienced. My saving grace was that I am a survivor. I've seen many give up and quit 3 semesters into the program...and failing to pick up the torch. Traveling tips... stay focused and don't get too wrapped up in extra curricular traveling. There will be plenty time for that after the study program is over. However...one must make certain decisions based upon one's willingness to succeed and financial background.
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0
Moses F
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I loved the few language seminars that were given. Afterwards I set myself free upon the city and actually learned much faster on my own. Italian is one of my favorite languages now
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