Watch Out if You're Going Here to Learn Arabic! Past Review
By A student (International Relations and Affairs., Boston University) - abroad from 01/26/2013 to 06/07/2013 with
Boston University: Haifa - Language & Liberal Arts Program
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about other cultures. Though I would go to a different place if I could do it all again, I still feel like this experience has helped open my eyes a little more.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
All good except for the Arabic program. Only learned grammar with little emphasis on vocabulary. I was in advanced intermediate and the class was conducted in English. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I learned quickly that when I got sick, it was better to not call the incompetent doctors there. |
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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) |
I lived on a budget of $1800/semester. Leaving me with less than $100/week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $90 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Shop at the local market, make your own drinks instead of going out, and ask locals about cheap eating places. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | Semester II Arabic |
| 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? | Take the Fall Ulpan and visit Arab sectors often. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That Israel really does discriminate against Arabs. Being an Arab myself, if I had comprehended the level of distrust and racism there, I would not have gone. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary Arab Thought and Culture |
| Course Department: | International School |
| Instructor: | Dr. Zaher |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was very unspecific in what the instructor wanted us to do and very disorganized. We were misled on exams and penalized when we followed her instructions. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Intermediate Arabic Language |
| Course Department: | International School |
| Instructor: | Professor Shlomi |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | I walked away only with grammar skills. Little to no speaking, no emphasis on writing or speaking, and the class was conducted in English. This course has set me behind in MSA immensely. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
Featured Program Providers
