Cheese, Chocolate, and Global Health Past Review

By Eleanor C (Neurobiology and Neurosciences., Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/22/2013 to 11/30/2013 with

SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - Global Health and Development Policy

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

I got a lot of life experience and a great overview of the health network globally as well as how policy is developed. It was worth it as I made some very great friends and loved working on/presenting my independent study project.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Exchange a large amount of money at the beginning of the semester and use this cash reserve rather than withdrawing constantly.

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
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?	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?	What helped me the most was talking in French to my French-speaking host mother over dinner about the things we learned that day in lecture and french class. It gives you a chance to use the new vocabulary and ideas you've just grasped while building a bond between yourself and your host family so they know what's going on in your life.

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?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	ISP Host Family Fellow students
* What could be improved?	Morocco Field Study Lectures should be more interactive Logistics were not always clear
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Switzerland is quite expensive!

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 Blazer Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	ISP
Course Department:
Instructor:	None
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Perspectives on Global Health
Course Department:
Instructor:	N. Drissi, A. Stuckelberger, P. Sudre
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	French Level B1
Course Department:
Instructor:	Lauren
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Development Policy and Health
Course Department:
Instructor:	C. Viladent
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The best part of this course was visiting international organizations but the lectures were lacking.
Credit Transfer Issues: