Blog Post #3

The work load at AUR, the American University of Rome, is considered average.  If feeling stressed however, there are links on the website that show various resources on how to reduce-load work and balance work and control time management.  Like here in America, a student must be enrolled in at least twelve credit hours per semester to receive the aid and degree on time. When going there during the summer, it is required that a student takes 6 US credits, which equals to two classes.  Most classes are three credits each.  The languages taught throughout the school are English and of course, Italian.  The class room size is small but it guarantees individual attention. In the classrooms, AUR has students that study internationally over a span of forty different countries, which means there will be a lot of diversity in the classrooms.  During the semester or time abroad, you get to explore Rome and take part in several excursions.  One major difference is AUR students do not have class on Fridays. At the beginning of the course, students are required to participate in an orientation, and then there will be a final dinner that will be a time to sit down and discuss adventures.  In regards to the student-teacher ratio, Maryville College and AUR are similar, but in regards to differences, there are quite a few.  A lot of classes at AUR take advantage of the historical landmarks and study those, as in Maryville there are not a lot of these landmarks.  Another thing, I feel that we do not have that many international students here than there, but of course it is the American University of Rome and is made for international studies.  Required, a student needs to be in Rome for at least 5-6 weeks in order to mark that off as a requirement for a degree in International Business from Maryville College.  As far as the grading system goes, the grading system is based on a 30-point scale, with 18 being the passing grade.  66 is the minimum passing grade.  For program support, CISabroad states, “Before, during, and after your study abroad experience, you’ll be supported by the dedicated and passionate CISabroad staff. Our goal is quick responses to your questions before you depart, and even quicker once you’ve arrived on site.  Our team of advisors will help you choose a program, connect with your home university regarding classes and financial aid and get you prepared to apply for your program.” There is also program coordinators, who will help in housing, flights, courses, and pre-departure orientation. Then there are on-site staff members, who will greet you at the airport and to activities.  The support doesn’t just end there, but it goes onto alumni programming as well!  Overall, AUR seems like a well put together school with many course options and support for pre-denature, on site, and after your time abroad! 

Blog 2-Aryne Feldman

With deepening my understanding regarding the Italian culture (I am going to Rome, Italy this summer to study abroad), I plan on getting a grasp of things before traveling and studying over there.  As of right now, for instance, I am practicing the language.  I have been learning Italian slowly, but every night I learn a few phrases and review them for that week.  Understanding the language will show locals that I am, at least, trying to understand and respect part of their cultural.  Although linguistics might not seem like a big deal, to me if I know someone who doesn’t speak the same language but they were trying, it still shows they care.  With that being said, I feel as if is also important to respect the cultural overall, such as social norms and manners.  How does one show respect? First thing, is to actually understand.  Understanding is the first step in taking to respecting a culture.  We are so accustomed to our social norms and the way we present ourselves, or talk where we might be ignorant to the fact that our way of doing things is not the only way.  Knowing what is the social norm when going to restaurants, hotels, stores, or maybe interacting with professors, is a key aspect in going to another country because a sign of respect of of keen importance.  I want to learn the large differences between our culture and the Italian culture.  With this, talking to locals about their culture and talking about the differences is a great way to understand my own and their culture.  With conversations among people with different cultures, you get experience and first hand learning just by us opening our mouths! I have yet to learn everything about the culture, such as where to go and how to travel.  Although I have been to several countries, I always know about them before I go.  Therefore, this will be a great learning experience.   

Blog 1-Goals Aryne Feldman

My main goals of studying abroad are to get a new cultural experience.  I have been to several countries before but I have never personally been to Italy.  I hope to learn the different social norms, try new foods, and meet many people.  I will be hopefully studying business over there, and I also want to see the differences between our economy here verses there.  Even though I have studied before, I am very nervous about going.  I have bought my ticket and have gone alone; however that was for a week and I knew people there.  I am going to a place where I do not know anyone and that makes me nervous.  I also have a fear of the language barrier.  I only know a tiny bit of French, and a little bit of Spanish, which I know probably will not help me out that much.  Three things that I want to do are make a traveling video/blog if you say, meet a lifelong friend, and go to as many landmarks as possible.  The video I want to do, which I enjoy making through Splice (an app for GoPro) every time I travel, would be of all the landmarks I go to, the people I meet, and a variety of things.  I want to make one friend that I will stay in touch with and hopefully see again, and as for the landmarks, there is so much to see in Rome, and I want to make sure I get to see as much as possible.

 Sources:
 https://www.google.com/search?q=rome&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjq6qfplJPSAhVFYyYKHXsdC_4Q_AUICSgC&biw=1280&bih=867#imgrc=T-JggMKwn7pzaM: