Life Changing Experiences Abroad Past Review
By Margaret R (International Business/Marketing, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 02/22/2014 to 06/22/2014 with
Exchange: Hessen - Hessen-Wisconsin Exchange
Not only did I increase my fluency with the German language, I was able to grow in knowledge and experience in the German culture. I was also able to travel to other places in Europe, gaining insight into different cultures and an understanding for international travel.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The intensive language course ( taken through the IUSP program) was very beneficial to my actual classes at he erman university. I was adised that the IUSP program was more for beginners, but I think it was essential for ALL exchange students. Those students in WI-Hessen without the IUSP program were very confused. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
(in regards to the IUSP program) |
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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? |
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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
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Remember everything is more expensive when taking the Euro-dollar exchange rate into consideration! |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 |
| 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? | Make sure to branch out of the American exchange students and make friends from the host country. It's the best way to learn more about the culture! |
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? | A semester is not long enough. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA 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. |
