Romania coninues to teach me! Past Review
By A student (HISTORY., Gordon College) - abroad from 04/22/2011 to 07/17/2011 with
Northwestern College: Romania Semester
My experience in Romania was so rich, it is hard to sum up! The things my internship with NHO taught me about community development, youth empowerment, and cultivating democracy greatly influences my current work with a non-profit in the U.S. and with starting a new school here. My study of Orthodoxy profoundly influenced my faith, with its strong affirmation of human flourishing and the sacredness of our earthly experience. The host family who so generously and warmly welcomed me into their lives continue to occupy a tender place in my heart. We stay in touch via Facebook :)
Review Photos
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. |
Because I was the only student in the program at the time, many of my classes were one-on-one tutorials! What a privilege! As a budding historian, it was also exciting to visit sites and consult people who had lived through the events I studied. |
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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 opportunity to live with a host family was one of the biggest reasons I chose this program, and was not disappointed! |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Playing pick-up volleyball with some locals was a highlight! As was hiking on the weekends with my host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No health issues while there, but felt I could count on program staff for help if there were |
| * Safety: |
Lot's of stray dogs, but the program staff and my host family gave me help dealing with them. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Not much - within program handbook guidelines, for sure |
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 |
I learned a lot of Romanian while I was there! Teaching a dance class to neighborhood kids proved a real language-learning crucible - so fun! |
| 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? | Upper level Spanish classes |
| 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? | Hang out with children! They love to teach, and they don't spoil you by speaking too much English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Expect great things!! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
