I literally can't even Past Review
By Becca S (HISTORY., University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 01/31/2014 to 05/18/2014 with
CIEE: St. Petersburg - Russian Area Studies
Completely worth while. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I met life long friends, and other people who changed my life and my self. I learned to let go and deal with what I can't change, while taking control of what I could. I found self confidence I have lacked my entire life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
I absolutely loved this program and all of the onsite staff. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had an amazing host family, who were exactly what I needed while abroad. I could not thank them enough for the experience they gave me. |
| * Food: |
It was not too hard to remain a vegetarian while in Russia, but it was difficult to eat healthy and maintain my ideal weight. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Only so-so. I needed better language skills. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe, loved walking around the city, even all the way to school (around 6 miles). |
| 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) |
depends on how much food and drink you want to buy. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | if you honestly have to save money, don't go out at night with friends. |
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 |
encourage yes, enforce no |
| 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? | 3rd semester in college |
| 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? | practice on your own time, and actually go out and use it |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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's not hard to make friends as long as you try |
