enlightening and a learning process Past Review
By Brooke Snoll (Saint Leo University) - abroad from 01/31/2019 to 05/29/2019 with
ISA Study Abroad in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I learned how to be alone in an unfamiliar environment, how to do more things for myself, how to challenge myself with course material I have never seen, and just overall more about myself as a person, good and bad.
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 |
ISA |
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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? |
Didn't use |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was a more expensive environment than other programs and smaller. I could have benefitted from a more established program with cheaper prices. However, I enjoyed the Dutch atmosphere, learned from challenging courses and was able to challenge myself in new ways. There definitely would have been benefits to other programs but I do not regret my decision. |
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) |
If you don't travel much nor eat out then you can, but eating out is expensive and traveling will add to expenses as well. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook and stay in hostels |
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 |
everyone could speak english |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | beginner |
| 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? | begin with duolingo or learning language on your own and try and use it as much as you can with locals |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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 lot of people choose Amsterdam because of the ability to smoke legally, so you have to realize that if that is not something you are interested in, most people that you meet and hang out with are going to want to participate in that. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
