1 semester, 4 months, 7 countries, the trip of a life time! Past Review
By Megan McGovern (Wilkes University) - abroad from 09/17/2016 to 12/16/2016 with
ISA Study Abroad in Dublin, Ireland
I learned so much about the language and culture and other life experience. I think it was absolutely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 |
The program itself was very frustrating because once I began school, there was not enough students enrolled in the course, so classes were cancelled after the paperwork was finished for specific courses to count towards my degree. I wish they told us before hand what classes were most likely to be cancelled prior to the beginning of classes. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family and I loved it! |
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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? |
I never had any health conditions or anything that required medical attention. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved the program because they include some really great opportunities to explore other cities and countries that are included in the overall price. |
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 lived with a host family, so I did not have to pay for meals or food. I mainly spent money on traveling all over Europe. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $120 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you plan to travel, definitely plan all your trips as early as possible. Spend money only on things you need, or REALLY meaningful souvenirs, you will have a pile of souvenirs at the end of your study abroad if you don't! |
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? | 3 courses of college level spanish |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to try the language out with locals. You won't be fluent and sometimes won't make sense, but people are so nice and will love you for trying. |
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? | Don't be afraid to hang out and chat with locals. You would be surprised about how easy it is to break down the language barrier and really try to use the language as much as possible. |
