The best summer of my life thus far! Past Review

By (Theater, Marymount Manhattan College) - abroad from 06/14/2013 to 07/28/2013 with

National Theater Institute: Theatermakers Summer Intensive

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My summer at the O'Neill was absolutely worthwhile. I think anyone and everyone who can, should do Theatermakers. I've never felt more like myself that I did that summer.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

NTI is amazing. If I hadn't done Theatermakers, I don't think I would be pursuing a career as an actor. The faculty is incredible, the program is amazingly intensive and the atmosphere of the O'Neill in the summer (during all the National Theater Conferences) is bustling with creativity. I can't think of a better place to go if you want to go into theater.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The NTI office is so helpful. They answer all your questions are take care of everything you might need so that you can focus on the work itself.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The Mitchell College dorms are nothing fancy and it gets pretty hot (so bring a fan!) However, NTI is incredible with roommate assignments and when it got really hot in the dorms, the administration brought us all fans to help make us more comfortable.

* Food:

The food at NTI is great! You'd expect cafeteria food to not be that good, but the variety is pretty good and they're really attentive to dietary restrictions.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

You get thrown into the world of NTI immediately. You hit the ground running and don't stop until the program is over. It's definitely an adjustment but the program is designed really well and you find that the O'Neill feels like home really fast.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There's no nurse on campus, however if you're sick or injured they take really good care of you. They take you to a doctor if you need and if you need prescriptions filled they take you to the pharmacy. Also, the faculty know a lot about bodies and can help and give advice if you're getting sick or experiencing aches and pains.

* Safety:

The O'Neill is a super safe place. I never once felt unsafe there.

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)

Besides Tuition you don't need to spend anything!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $0-$30. Besides an occasional run to Target, you don't spend anything!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The strength of ensemble building
  • The rigor of the work
  • The dedication of the faculty
* What could be improved?
  • Dorms
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You only get as much as you give in, and it's worth it. So give it all you've got.