111 reviews
3.73 / 5 based on 111 reviews

Useful |
0
ladymissheather
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
Read more >
Activities, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
When I was there in 2001, I liked Goa on Thursdays(Gianni--Patrizio!) The now de-funct club Exotica. Best times were with everyone at the Elephant Pub though in Trastevere. I've been back to Rome since then and I recommend Suburbia and Muccasassina. There are a lot of cool wine bars near Piazza Navona. Stay out of Campo Dei Fiori--it sucks and is filled with tourists who think they are on Girls Gone Wild. Best pizza is Frontoni's in Trastevere!
Read more >

Useful |
0
ladymissheather
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
I think you get the 'full' experience living on your own in Rome and I'm sure it's more laidback than living with a family
Read more >
Personal comments
I guess some people may have had a bad experience because they didn't like the roomates chosen for them or their space was too small (MIKE T AND CHRIS IN THE CAVE!!! BAHAHAH) but I was lucky to get a big house and a backyard with 4 cool roomates VIA LORENZO VALLA!!!!!!
Read more >

Useful |
0
ladymissheather
Academic
Course recommendations
Best class I took was Roman Baroque Art
Read more >
My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
I think they could expand the curriculum a little more--then they could get more applicants and students who wish to stay longer than a semester. I was originally staying for a year, but they classes weren't fulfilling enough requirements at my home university.
Read more >
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

Useful |
0
ladymissheather
Languages
Language of instruction: Italian
Was learning Italian a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
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
I minored in Italian so I had some background but living there is the best way to learn the language because there are many people that don't speak English and you are forced to communicate in Italian--which I thought was good. Once in a while there were times when I had trouble communicating.
Read more >

Useful |
0
ladymissheather
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish I had brought more money for extra traveling than I already did...
Read more >
In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
I recommend AUR if you want to be in a small school where you know just about everyone. I prefer to go to small schools and I loved just about everyone I met at AUR and had lots of good times--some of the best of my life and some really great roomates.
Read more >
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
I have been back to Rome since then to visit some Italian friends and friends that still go to AUR and every time I go I get sad because I miss everyone from the Spring of 2001. I am currently in New York City working at Parsons School of Design-NSU,where I am also pursuing my masters. If anyone wants to email me--ladymissheather@hotmail.com
MOLTI BACI Heather***
Read more >

Useful |
0
ladymissheather
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
Other
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
I spent a lot of money on travel in Italy obviously because I wanted to explore outside of Rome (and Italy) on the weekends. Other than that, most items are cheaper in Italy than in the US.
Read more >
Travel:
was more expensive than at home.
Food, Telephone, Housing, Nightlife, Overall:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
No spend as much as you can--its worth it.
Read more >