Tell me more:
fun, interesting and eye opening
AIFS: St. Petersburg - St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University
Program Information
Study abroad in the most European Russian city. Founded in 1703 as Russia’s “Window to the West”, it still retains many of the Baroque splendors of the former empire, more bridges than Venice and a fairy-tale atmosphere of gold-domed churches, elaborate palaces and riverside parks.
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| Provider: | AIFS |
| Location(s): | St. Petersburg, Russia |
| Year Founded: | 1964 |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Christopher B. (International Studies, Towson University) on January 13, 2012
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-08-28 |
| * End Date: | 2011-12-10 |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload itself was less then what I am used to at an american university. the grading system is on a 1 to 5 scale 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. The teaching methods were different as well but also different depending on the teacher as well. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
strenghts were the programs excursions and the great staff of the program, weaknesses were limited structure |
| * Housing: |
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| * Food: |
very little vegetarian foods, quality was good, food takes a little getting used to but its delicious |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
we would go on excursions every week to major palaces and churches to canal rides, and excursions to Finland and estonia as well |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
the area where the university is located isnt the best part of town but i didnt encounter any issues, the tap water is unsafe to drink so you must purchase water. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Towson University prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | clothing is very expensive in st petersburg, food and drink is relatively cheap |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200 level course |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could pratice the language with friends, teachers and most other people. I needed to use the host language in everyday interactions. Most people did not speak english. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | YES, in addition to language knowleadge I have gained experience living, working and studying in another country. It has certainly affected my cultural awareness and future plans. I am considering returning at least to visit possibly stay there |