Adventures in Austria: Potentially the two best months of my life. Past Review

By Victoria B (PSYCHOLOGY., Truman State University) for

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. I plan to return at some point in my life and to stay a lot longer than before.

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The workload was fairly adequate. I took two classes and between the two I did not feel overwhelmed while still having time to explore the city.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Phoebe Mayer was extremely available and organized.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I loved my host family. I couldn't imagine my study abroad experience without them.
* Food:	The restaurant that catered our lunches always had a vegetarian option.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Hiking up a small mountain, going to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp, my host family, seeing an Opera in Vienna, Austria.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I got sick twice while there, the first time with a high grade fever and sores on my feet making it painful to walk. After my fever broke, I was instructed to go to a doctor (who spoke English very well) who then recommended a creme for my feet. I then got sick again the last week of my trip and got better on my own. The program assisted with the cost of the doctor's visit and the medicine.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

* 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 including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Around $60 for the most expensive week. (eating out, occasional souvenir, public transport though monthly bus passes would make this cheaper)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	I enjoyed having a travel card. It was easy to use and practical.

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	300 level German courses
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	I practiced German with my host family and anyone I met in Salzburg (shops, on buses, etc.). I did need to use German in everyday interactions but many people if not most, also spoke at least some English.

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans

* What did you like most about the program?	The mix of classes, excursions, cultural learning, fun, and my host family.
* What could be improved?	A website for Salzburg College would be great with tons of pictures of the school.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Stay with a host family and stay a semester. Be prepared to fall in love with the city. One day you'll be in a foreign country and the next day it'll feel like home. An ambitious, independent, open minded student benefits the most from this program. For Salzburg College specifically, it helps to be interested in music.

That's wonderful! We are happy to hear that you had an amazing study abroad experience! CCIS
CCIS April 24, 2014

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