Amazing excavation at Walhain St. Paul, Belgium! Past Review
By Mersi C (Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Eastern Illinois University) - abroad from 06/26/2015 to 07/25/2015 with
Eastern Illinois University (EIU): Louvain-la-Neuve - Summer Archeology
I learned how to speak French better than before. I learned about cultural difference, Medieval architecture and lifestyles, how to be social with others, team-building, and Archaeological techniques. It was 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. |
The cultural exposure was wonderful! The locals and members of the Excavation team (American and Belgian) were the nicest and best people that I have ever met. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Being in Belgium and on the site...It was gorgeous! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really liked staying at the flat. The downfall, was that the showers and bathrooms were almost too small to stand in. |
| * Food: |
The meals were authentic and delicious!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
By the end of the month, I felt like I had grown up in Louvain la Neuve. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes. The professors and managers were incredible! The students from America and Belgium were very hospitable. I have made friends for life and received experiences that I would not have gotten elsewhere. |
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? | ≈10 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring a lot of Euro coinage! |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Intermediate French |
| 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? | Find a Pen Pal and write to them. It would also be beneficial to have a programs (Mango, Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, etc) to review before/while on the plane/at the destination. |
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? | That the time would fly by. The reality did not set in that it was time to leave until I was at the airport bidding my friends "Goodbye". |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
