Great Term in Rome!

I attended IES Rome’s Fall program and had a fantastic time. I had the opportunity to enrich myself with an engaging and relevant academic curriculum and also participate in numerous cultural experiences. These experiences include those orchestrated by the IES program as well as things I did independently with both the American and Italian friends I met through the program. Housing was provided in the cost, as well as spacious, regularly cleaned, and well located. The classes were admittedly less rigorous than those I was accustomed to at my US university, but were nevertheless enjoyable, interesting, and took advantage of the program’s location to incorporate excursions to relevant sites around Rome and Italy. For example, I studied Classical Roman architecture in the ruins of the Roman Forum and Renaissance art at Florence’s Uffizi, both with program classes. They were certainly a highlight of the academics. The professors and other staff were almost entirely Italians with very good English skills. Language was never a problem in class. Furthermore, they were universally approachable and friendly. Professors would recommend the best restaurants and bars to us. The language instruction was also of high quality. I went in knowing next to no Italian, but I left with a decent level of proficiency. The program housed many of its students, including those of us in my apartment, with local Italian students. This was probably the best part of the program. In making friends with my Italian roommate, I was exposed to a host of cultural events, attitudes, and quirks that would be otherwise inaccessible. Additionally, it really helped my Italian skills. Today, when I keep in touch with my old roommate, we can speak in Italian. This was radically different than being a tourist or a simple visitor. With this program, I was able to live in Italy like a true Italian!