Why did I have to leave? Past Review
By Jarrell S (International Relations and Affairs., Cleveland State University) - abroad from 06/14/2014 to 08/14/2014 with
AMIDEAST: Rabat - Summer Intensive Arabic
I gained further knowledge in standard Arabic, and basic exposure to the Darija dialect. I've also gained vast experience in living within a culture I am not used to. This program is absolutely worth it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The instructors were extremely knowledgeable, although some seemed to be unorganized at times. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program administration was excellent. Things were very well planned and executed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did not enjoy living with my first host family, when I requested a home change Doha and Rashid in the Rabat office were quick to get me into another family. The new family was excellent. |
| * Food: |
I need harira and couscous back into my life. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated into local culture. People were extremely friendly and welcoming. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Morocco is very cheap for Americans. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Converted, about 18-28 dollars a week for food, much less for travel. I mostly walked to Amideast. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be adventurous and walk to the school site. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | 2 Semesters of Arabic at my home institution. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Try to take classes before your trip. It helps to know some beforehand, that way you won't spend your time abroad learning basics. |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | That there was so much French everywhere, which felt like it inhibited my Arabic immersion. |
