Politics are a slow and frustrating but needed element of progression Past Review
By A student (Politics, French, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/01/2013 to 12/16/2013 with
Boston University: Geneva - Internship Program
Yes, the internship was amazing
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
It is extremely expensive to meet with doctors, about 100 USD for each visit and medicine is very expensive - I recommend you bring all over the counter medicines you think you will need with you because Switzerland requires you to have a prescription for nearly everything |
| * 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) |
The markets are very well priced - eating out is about 15-20 dollars for anything but drinks are the same price if not cheaper than in other european countries so it all evens out! cook in and go out ! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | cook for yourself, don't buy many drinks out, if you want alcohol drink before you go out for the night you will save hundreds. Do free activities, and make sure that you get student rates because Europe is great at giving student prices! |
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 |
this is not a program for people who want to be fluent in French or immersed, Geneva is an international city with a very high English speaking occupancy and although it's helpful to know French most students and people you will meet will speak English because they are from all over the world. |
| 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? | I had 10 years of French |
| 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? | Meet people who are from Geneva or who are also studying French! |
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? | Living with all americans is very annoying at times and that the program is not a french immersion program |
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.' |
