Amazing Past Review
By A student (George Washington University) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 12/08/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - Global Health and Development Policy
This was honestly one of the best experiences of my college career. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and I learned so many things that I would not have learned in the typical classroom setting. It gave me clarity as to what kind of career path I would like to follow post graduation.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was a wonderful academic experience for me because it was different than what one would learn in a typical classroom setting. We had the opportunity to visit and attend briefings at various international organizations and we were really exposed to what a career in the Public Health field looks like. |
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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? |
I lived with a host family and I think this was the best part of my study abroad experience. My family was very warm and welcoming and I felt so comfortable and at home. It also helped me to be more immersed in the Swiss culture and brush up on my French speaking skills. |
| * Food: |
I am vegetarian and I did not have a hard time with this. It was a lot of bread and cheese though |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Staying with a host family really helped me to feel more connected to the local culture. However, since we were having all classes with the people in our program who are from different universities across the US, we spent most of our time together |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Geneva is a pretty expensive city, so it is definitely important to budget |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | It is always harder to speak a new language than understand. Even if you are not confident in your speaking skills always choose to speak in the language. From my experience, even though I was not confident when I was speaking French, people were always willing to help me when I started a conversation in French and it made them happy to see that I was making the effort. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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 would not change anything about my experience |
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.' |
