Once in a life time chance Past Review

By (Psychology, Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 08/14/2018 to 12/15/2018 with

CIEE - Multi-city Open Campus Option

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained more language experience, learned about a new culture and learned how to adapt to new places

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes are long and tough but great learning experience le

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful, always around

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Nice neighborhood, good apartment

* Food:

I cooked most of the time, restaurants were good for the most part there was one I didn’t like

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I needed more experienced speaking to people of the local culture

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Someone went with anyone who got sick to the doctor

* Safety:

Safe until the end with the riots but those were in the other side of the city

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

We went on study tours, had good classes, learned a lot about wirn

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)

Not super hard as long as you stick to the budget

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $3000
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Start saving now

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

They talked to us in French for the most part but didn’t force anyone to speak it

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Flash cards and talking with the people at Ciee

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Study tours
  • Language classes
  • Metro
* What could be improved?
  • Restaurants picked for study tours
  • Political classes
  • More breaks in the three hour classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don’t wear American loud clothes

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.