Best experience of my life! Past Review
By sosima navarrete (CUNY - College of Staten Island) - abroad from 05/22/2017 to 07/07/2017 with
CUNY - College of Staten Island: Arts and Sciences at Vesalius College in Brussels, Belgium
I got to work with refugees, homeless individuals giving me a greater outlook on how I can help out those same individuals in my area. So definitely worthwhile.
Review Photos
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
the people with whom I was living with were so nice and welcoming! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
it was a little scary at first but after some time I got used to their customs. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
while being there I was never at risk, but I would just mention to future students to just stay alert and not be alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really enjoyed this program not just because of it's warm and welcoming culture, but it was a small country that I felt right at home with them. Also I got to meet so many local and international people that were all so friendly and they took me out and showed me around. A bonus was that Netherland, France, & Germany were just a few hours away! |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Yes, don't buy so much souvenirs! and try to take whatever you can from home that can be used over there so you won't have to buy them again. |
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? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 112 (first level) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Before going to another country try to practice the language as much as you can, while being in the campus most know english but in case you want to communicate outside campus knowing their language is essential. Try downloading apps or take some course while in college. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | taking my home essentials so I wouldn't have to buy over there, and that French is main language spoken |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
