Small world after all? Past Review
By Katherine Z (art history, Berea College) - abroad from 01/19/2015 to 04/30/2015 with
Salzburg College: Semester Study Abroad in Austria
I gained experience with handling travel, communicating with new people, and money/time management in frequently changing environments. The world feels larger and smaller simultaneously.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
For the most part, classes were well paced and a lot of information was covered. However, some did feel rushed and did not live up to expectations as far as the level of the material being taught. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff were friendly, helpful, and easily accessible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Both privacy as well as friendly company were always offered. |
| * Food: |
Lunches provided by the school were always filling and multiple options were available. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It being a small school of North American students, there was not much integration with the culture itself outside of field trips unless you sought out local people and places in your spare time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Like any city, there are places you want to avoid during the later hours but overall it is a very quiet place. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | Almost never had to buy my own food between school meals and host family accomidations. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eating out is always tempting but when even water is expensive it is better to avoid it. Be prepared to pack lunches; they can be tasty too. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | introductory level |
| 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? | Try to speak with your host family even if it is very slow and basic. Practice past the homework outside of class. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | I do wish that I had known about the overall class size and even smaller courses. It was a much more personal environment than expected with such a small group of students and teachers. |
