<p>Hey, I'm currently planning on spending a semester abroad in Rome, Italy.
Homestay is offered only in the Spring, and the fee would be 5k. Everyday breakfasts and 4 weekly dinners are scheduled though.
The Fall semester gets a substantial discount (i.e. Fall14 was 2k cheaper!) and if I were to do the Honors program I'd get an additional 1k off. 60EU weekly brochures are included.
(Both programs also include free transit passes in Rome, some museum passes, insurance, etc. Airfare is NOT included.)</p>
<p>Problem is that not only is homestay not an option in the Fall, but the program I am virtually forced to go with also teaches most of its courses in English (3/5 courses I'd take), and the dorms, though conviniently in the same building as the school, are reserved only with the students from my university (aka. American students...)</p>
<p>I cannot choose a different program because the scholarship for my tuition only covers the school's abroad programs.
My Italian isn't bad, pretty good even, but my speaking fluency sucks. However, I am not prepared 'spend' 3k on a luxury such as homestay. </p>
<p>Q:So what are your thoughts on homestay?</p>
<p>Is it really worth it?</p>
<p>Do you think that through effort I could achieve the same results and then spend those virtual '3k' on traveling other places or even returning for a Summer semester?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance...</p>