BEST SEMESTER OF MY LIFE Past Review
By Libby (Xavier University) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 05/20/2016 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Thailand - Semester in Chiang Mai
It was very much so worth while I learned so much about myself and I also learned so much about a beautiful culture very different from the culture in the US
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. |
The classes although challenging were always very interesting and the teachers were always very knowledge. They even took us on a number of field trips where we were able to really explore Thailand |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
our in site administration was always very helpful and always willing to help with any questions or problems we had |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our living arrangements were very nice and I loved being able to have a Thai roommate |
| * Food: |
BEYOND AMAZING!!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated in the culture a lot of restaurant owners knew me and my friends by name and looked forward to us coming in |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
healthcare was easily accessible and on occasions when someone was sick our administrators found a way to have them driven to a doctor |
| * Safety: |
never felt unsafe everyone was very welcoming and helpful |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved how the program was set up, my classes, how we had local roommates, and how we not only had american classmates but classmates from vietnam cambodia and the philippines |
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) |
If you planned out how much money to use each week the price of living in Thailand was very affordable |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | bring abroad things like toothpaste shampoo and such in bulk so that you don't have to buy it there and you can throw away before you go home |
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 |
Our teacher always encouraged us and even outside of class would talk to us in Thai |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | i took language courses in high school for Spanish |
| 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? | Even if you think you don't have to speak Thai practice anyway the people there love it when you attempt and really appreciate it |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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 wish I would have been more confident in myself at the beginning i was really scared to go outside my comfort zone but after awhile I did and it was the most amazing 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.' |
