Brussels Rocks!! - BCA Brussels - Vesalius College Past Review

By A student (History And Political Science, McPherson College) - abroad from 08/21/2013 to 12/14/2013 with

Study Abroad Programs in Belgium

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

Spending a semester in Brussels was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only did I learn a lot about the Belgian culture and life in Europe in general, but I also met a lot of really cool people. I also learned a lot about myself. Everyone should spend time abroad. It's an amazing experience!

Review Photos

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.
* 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?	No

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?	50-100 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Don't convert all the prices into American dollars (especially if students are studying in Europe). Spending the money to buy necessities hurts less if the prices aren't thought of in American dollars.

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?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Beginner
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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	Local Students Americans International Students
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?	Living with a host family
* What could be improved?	Trying to get professors that are knowledgeable in their subject field
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I would've known more French before going to Belgium. My host family spoke predominantly French, so communication was sometimes difficult.

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:	International Political Economy
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:	M. Aminova
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The professor was not very knowledgeable about the subject material. Her lectures were no more informative than the textbook, and this was a high level course.
Credit Transfer Issues: