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Russia
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:
Stephanie B. (Economics, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) on September 07, 2010
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2010-01-29 |
| * End Date: | 2010-05-15 |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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| * Housing: |
A decent taste of Russian society. Near metro, not close to city center, but between metro and taxis it was easy enough to get to. |
| * Food: |
You don't go to Russia for the food. It was decent. It depends on the individual. Nothing to do with the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It's Russia. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Indiana University of Pennsylvania 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Russian 2 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Few people spoke english. Moderately immersive by nature of country. Took a Russian language class 4 days a week for 3 hours a day. Practiced with roommates/friends. Used always in public. |
| 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
| * 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? | Definitely worth it. |