great experience, good teachers, amazing friends... unforgettable Past Review
By monica m (Università degli studi di Torino / University of Turin) - abroad from 06/16/2015 to 08/30/2016 with
Ahlan Egypt: Alexandria, Luxor and Cairo - Arabic Language Programs
Yes, I grew up and I challenged myself
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had been at Ahlan to study modern arabic standard for several time in past years and I had been totally satisfied. I liked the possibility to choose between training teacher ( it's fine to have conversation lesson at a cheap price) and Teachers with many years experience from who, take the deep grammar. All Teachers speak a very good english so tuition is perfect and without "missed parts" During last year I joined private lessons about egyptian dialect in Cairo. I like it so much The schools, both are in safe area and close to everithing we can need. They can also provide for accomodation with several options. very positive experience The schools |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
perfect |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I got a flat clean and equipped and for a good price, there are many options there and the schools are available to give and suggest what it s the best, room in simple hotel, shared flat, shared room or flat alone. Rent is cheap and school provide for all |
| * Food: |
Often in Cairo we ate all together!! IT had been a beautiful experience,,, A very gentle lady cooked and show how to do, egyptian food and we cooked our traditional food, from italian pizza to canadians pancakes!!! Amazing !! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
thanks to the "cultural activies" we can join a full immersion experience with locals, in many expects of life. Not just museum or historical places but also "real life".... All speaking arabic or egyptian |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn t need any care during my stay but In case there are a lot of high level clinic in Alexandria as in Cairo. My suggest is to bring some basic meds from home and pay for an insurance who can cover the bills and provide to back home in case |
| * Safety: |
Alex and Cairo lived a difficult period but safety for students are guarantee. Schools and flats are in the centre of towns near shops and historical places so there are people day and night The level of attention must be exactly like in our homeland. I never felt problems around me Of course ... Don't join political demonstations and civil marches are my suggests for who want be safe,,,, Not just in Egypt by the way |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I'm totally satisfied about my experience so I'd like to continue, maybe studying the dialect |
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) |
Egypt is a cheap country and it offer us the possibility to have the best experience with a very low price |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 40 dollars / weekly (not included schools and flat) Food and transportation are very cheap |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No I don't |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
all the day ... inside and outside school we use Language, also with people in the shops or in market or in our building |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | join skype lessons |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | nothing |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
