Never wanted to leave!!! Past Review
By A student (Sociology and Anthropology, University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 10/01/2015 to 01/04/2016 with
University of Northern Iowa: Klagenfurt - Semester in Klagenfurt, Austria
That I want to go back! Defiantly worth it. Everyone should be required to go abroad before graduation, gives you a new view on the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes are offered in both English and German. Teachers are great in accommodating international students. International office is amazing and always around to help/ |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
International office is great, you get a buddy who is around your whole stay to help guide you in town and through classes. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was nice and clean but very expensive if you stay in dorms. |
| * Food: |
Very good, but Europe uses more pure food. Some people don't handle that well internally. But you will never regret trying everything. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
People were great, nice to internationals. Most everyone speaks English as well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Did not use but international office did offer help to find places to go if need be. |
| * Safety: |
Never felt unsafe in town. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
People and place were amazing, central to many other places, classes were great. |
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) |
Housing was expensive and travel as well if you did not plan 2+ weeks ahead, food was cheap. As was hostels. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan ahead, know where and when you want to go. Get a residence pass for the train. |
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 |
Really wanted you to learn and use your german. Offered scholarships to get into language programs |
| 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? | 4 years of high school german |
| 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? | Try to learn before you go, practice. Duolingo is a great app! |
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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| 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? | More about the visa requirements. Work as much as you can before you go to get as much $$ as possible for your trip. |
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.' |
