Semester of a lifetime! Don't miss it! Past Review

By Mark S (Chemistry., Franciscan University of Steubenville) - abroad from 01/15/2012 to 05/04/2012 with

Franciscan University of Steubenville: Gaming - Austrian Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was so worth it. I loved it so much. I learned patience, willingness to do what other people want to do, but to still have an opinion. I also learned that none of this matters unless you learn more about yourself and your relationship with God.

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.	I thought my classes were ok for the most part, but my philosophy class was unnecessarily difficult. They promise that the Austrian campus is a little easier. Also, I took a 100 level course. My teacher taught it as a 300 or 400 level course.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I thought the administration was ok, but I think that the change in the administration after Mark Kalpakgian (sp?) left created some confusion and complications. Things weren't explained as well or set up as well.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:	The Mensa was disgusting. The schnitzel and chicken fingers were really good, but they didn't have it often enough. Also, I liked the meal vouchers, but you just didn't get enough chances to use all of them.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
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)	I didn't do a great job at spending because I bought lots of souvenirs, but I know people who spent very much in their budget. Also, the exchange rate wasn't great.
* Was housing included in your program cost?	Yes
* Was food included in your program cost?	Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	around $350-$400
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Don't buy a lot of souvenirs if you don't want to spend a lot of money. Also, try to just buy one large item for a person, not several small things. Also, you can go to a grocery store and buy some food and cook it for a weekend for a lot less than you could if you keep going out to eat.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	We never really needed to know how to speak German because all of our classes were in English, and most people in Europe speak English.
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?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	High school Spanish; Elemntary school German
How many hours per day did you use the language?	0

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm Hotel Hostel
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students 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?	Tons of time to travel and Ease of doing it Rome/Assisi Pilgrimage set up by the school Having our own campus with other Franciscan students
* What could be improved?	The food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	To learn clutch and not be afraid to rent a car for a weekend; It's not about where you travel, it's about who you travel with so travel with people you can get along with, and travel with new people

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 Adventurer The 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Philosophy of the Human Person
Course Department:	PHL
Instructor:	Prof. Maria Wolter
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Professor Wolter was an incredible professor. She was very prepared, engaging, knowledgeable, and challenging. She really connected philosophy to our lives, as well as the trips we were taking and the Kartause, as well. However, I thought her class was unnecessarily difficult. Human Person is a 100 level course, not 300-400. She made that class way too hard. It should be a sign when half of your class fails the midterm every semester.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No.