Spationaut Past Review
By A student (Architecture, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/01/2014 to 05/11/2015 with
Columbia University, GSAPP: Traveling - The Shape of Two Cities: New York/Paris Certificate
I learned how to be inspired by my surroundings, how to meet people with similar ideas and how to create no matter where I am.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The first semester in New York spent on Columbia's campus challenged students to spend as much time in the studio as possible. The Second semester involved more reading material and the course work required students to explore and get to know the Paris in order to support their work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The deans answered emails within minutes if students had any questions and were readily available. |
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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? |
French courses were offered to all students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Administration could help you sort out health if complications came up. |
| * 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be prepared to pay for materials and heavy transportation costs, at least $200+ per month. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced in another language |
| 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? | It is your choice to delve in to the language, so take advantage of the experience and speak French as much as you can. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | Nothing, you just have to jump in. |
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! |
