Past Review

By (Economics, International Relations, The College of William and Mary) for

Boston University: Geneva - Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely. Gain independence and self knowledge, as well as a thorough understanding and comfortablility with the city both an an emotional, academic, and professional level.

Review Photos

Boston University: Geneva - Internship Program Photo

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University of Geneva
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were taught based on Boston University standards and subjects; the caliber was markedly easier than a student at WM might find, but many students from BU found it to be difficult/challenging.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was a converted hotel, two people to room with private bathroom and kitchen on every floor. Was owned and operated by BU, so only students on program lived there. Ideal location in heart of city and 1 block away from lake/downtown. Easy transportation

* Food:

Program provided breakfast weekly, and each floor had kitchen (shared by approx 12 ppl) on which to cook. local eateries very convenient.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Geneva is not the most lively party scene, but it is adequete and a "scene" can always be found. However, not on euro and is very very expensive.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

enrolled in swiss healthcare, Geneve is an incredibly safe city

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? very expensive city; do not expect to eat out regularly as it is very expensive.

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? none
Language acquisition improvement?

optional foreign language (french) classes taught; i had no prior information of the language but was able to get by fairly successfully--english is very common due to the international nature of Geneva, and is standard in the workplace.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

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  • Other
* Who did you live with?

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  • Other

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Amazing program for students interested in really living in a foreign, international city.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Activities of International Organisations

Course Department:
Instructor: Dr. Djacoba Tehindrazanorivela
Instruction Language: English
Comments: took advantage of the location of the program with regular visits to signficiant NGOs and/or IOs in Geneva, including the UN, WTO, WHO, OHCHR, ICRC, and others.
Credit Transfer Issues: