Improved language and explored foreign culture while overcoming hallenges. Past Review

By A student (Neurobiology and Neurosciences., Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/22/2012 to 12/04/2012 with

SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - Global Health and Development Policy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Absolutely worthwhile. Learned to live independently, make big decisions all the time on my own. Learned to meet new people with different cultural norms and carry on conversation in a foreign language. Learned to take advantage of out of classroom learning and challenge myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Not as rigorous in the classroom as Middlebury, but it was a good exercise in interactive and cultural learning.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Academic Director was very helpful and knowledgable. Program assistant was very unhelpful and poorly organized.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Wonderful host family.
* Food:	Great food at the host family and ample stipend for lunch food.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Very connected.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I had an allergic reaction and had to go to the emergency room. My host family brought me and was very helpful. The healthcare system was very efficient. I had a little bit of confusion filing a claim to get reimbursement. The health issues in during our 2 week excursion to Morocco were related to the water quality.
* Safety:	Very safe community in general. My host family's house got robbed while I was home alone, however there house was very well locked and secured, therefore there is nothing more that could have been done to prevent it.
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)	Switzerland is expensive.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Plan travel as far in advance as possible. Eat meals from grocery store food/cook for yourself as opposed to eating at restaurants all the time.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	Host family only spoke in french to me.
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?	Intermediate french 205
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?	Home stay and make local friends.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
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?	International Agency connections Independent study project host family
* What could be improved?	taking some classes with locals organization place to study/ access to closer library than geneva
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That I would be living 45 min outside of Geneva, the city where i thought I would be living

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 Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Independent Study Project
Course Department:
Instructor:	Dr. Christian Viladent
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Very good resources provided around Geneva. Challenging because it was all self-organized.
Credit Transfer Issues: