Study Abroad in Austria: The best experience of my lifetime! Past Review
By Molly Anderson (Boston College) - abroad from 01/11/2017 to 05/20/2017 with
IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I learned so much about my host culture and about myself. I faced new challenges that really helped me to grow as a person.
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 area was safe and very close to public transportation. Our apartment had more space than expected. |
| * 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
I learned so much about my host culture and about myself. I faced new challenges that really helped me to grow as a person. |
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) |
I should have budgeted more; it would have been possible for me to spend less money than I did. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | At least 100 Euro, food is affordable but going out to eat or going out for drinks in the evening makes things more expensive |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Going out is really fun, but it can be expensive. |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I am proficient with Spanish, but I had no prior experience with German. |
| 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? | Practice using the language when ordering food or at the grocery store |
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? | I wish I knew more about the local culture. |
