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The American University of Rome

111 reviews
3.73 / 5 based on 111 reviews
Useful  |  2
mattymatty
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Urban and Regional Planning, Undergraduate, Independent
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Language difficulties
Social
Educational
Administrative / Institutional
Overall
Personal comments
In the University only English is spoken, althought there is the opportunity to interact with Italians and some Germans. Italians are very nice and are happy to see any effort to speak their language.
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Useful  |  0
mattymatty
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Urban and Regional Planning, Undergraduate, Independent
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
A private grant
Work opportunities:
It was not legal for me to work
Personal spending habits
Housing is more expensive in Rome than in the US. Also, because I did so many more activities (nightlife, travel) it was more expensive, althought it wouldn't have to have been.
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Telephone, Housing, Nightlife, Travel, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Food:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand text books
Second-hand household items
Computers / Internet
Administrative
Money from home
Personal comments
Eating out can be expensive, eating at pizzerias though can be quite cheap. Learn to cook (if you don't already know how) this will save you tons of money. Unless you are planning on travelling a lot don't get a rail pass. Share textbooks with another student.
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Useful  |  13
mattymatty
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Urban and Regional Planning, Undergraduate, Independent
Overall
I wish I had known...
Even though everyone says it is always warm in Italy, it isn't! Take a jacket, sweaters, etc. Also, Italians wear tight fitting clothes and never wear shorts or flip-flops, so if you don't want to be instantly recognized as a tourist, pack like an italian. Also, pack light, there are plenty of stores to buy stuff here.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Academic reasons
1
Culture
4
Costs
2
Activities
2
Campus life
1
Party / people
4
Weather / location
4
Personal recommendation
Too many Americans, but still a good place to study.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
4
Traveled
3
Improved language skills
3
Met people from other countries
4
Became more independent
3
Partied a lot
4
Experienced a change in life
4
Advanced my studies & career
3
Final comments
Make sure you travel! You get three day weekends every weekend, and a weeklong break in the middle of the semester, these are great times to travel. Also, enjoy the culture in Italy without comparing it to America--it is very nice but very different.
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Useful  |  1
mattymatty
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Urban and Regional Planning, Undergraduate, Independent
Academic
Course recommendations
All courses are small, and attendance is mandatory, but you get all Fridays off! Make sure you go to class and get to know your professors, it will help you out a lot.
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My academic experiences
Quality of courses
Variety of courses
Access to resources
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
none
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams at end of course
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
Overall
Useful  |  5
mattymatty
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Urban and Regional Planning, Undergraduate, Independent
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Activities
Nightlife
Travel
Overall
Personal comments
There's a shisha bar near S. Maria in Trastevere and a bar nearby with a foosball table that rocks. Both places are receptive to Americans (although the Shisha bar has extremely slow service). Also if you like movies but don't understand Italian the Pasquino theater on Vicolo a piedi shows English language films. The Sunday Morning flea market rocks to get all sorts of good, cheap things.
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Useful  |  16
mattymatty
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Urban and Regional Planning, Undergraduate, Independent
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: With a family
Why?
When all courses are taught in English, and most students speak english, it can be quite hard to learn the native language. Living with a host family would help learning the language.
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Personal assessment
Cost
Facilities
Location
Cleanliness
Space
Personal comments
The accommodations were nice, but expensive (as all apartments in Rome are). The size wasn't bad (by Roman standards). The apartment was quite noisy despite the fact that it was not on a street. The apartment was in Trastevere, a great place to live.
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