You won't regret spending a semester living in a Dutch Castle Past Review

By (Journalism., Emerson College) - abroad from 01/17/2013 to 04/17/2013 with

Emerson College: Kasteel Well: The Netherlands

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I love traveling, and this program made me realize that I'd like it to be a large part of my life. This program was so worth it. I think I'd like to do another program, perhaps with more immersion and language aspects, though.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Professors at the castle were much more lecture-oriented and were much harder graders, but I gained a lot from them. I learned a lot and I made some really great relationships. Some of my favorite classes in university so far I took at the Castle.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

OSA does a great job of keeping up with student needs and keeping them well-informed. Dulcia, the program director, is super friendly and interacts with students in a meaningful way.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Umm, it's a castle... How could you not be happy living there?

* Food:

I love the kitchen staff to bits, but the food in the Netherlands overall just isn't very good. I love frites, but enough is enough, ya know?

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was an interesting experience to live in such a small town, we actually got to make friends with some of the locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues, but I know people who did have have health issues didn't find the same healthcare they would have had back home.

* Safety:

I never felt in danger at the castle, safety was great.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

The nature of the program is that you're traveling almost every weekend, which is expensive. This definitely isn't cheep, but I think it was well worth it.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $500, give or take
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Book your flights as far in-advance as you can, but remember not too book everything the first week. It's good to save money clearly, but you'll also want to book last-minute trips with new friends.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Making new friends
  • Traveling each weekend
  • Living in a castle
* What could be improved?
  • Communication from Emerson
  • Food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To pack a better assortment of clothes, I had too many dark colors and not enough sturdy jeans.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.