Gained knowledge of several cultures from around the world! Past Review
By A student (Anthropology., Barnard College) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 06/27/2012 with
USAC Norway: Oslo - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a huge amount of knowledge about the Norwegian history and culture through my courses and observations. I also made close friends from Korea, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Australia, Italy, Latvia, England, and Ireland who enriched my understanding of cultural difference and international affairs.
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? |
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) |
Oslo is an extremely expensive city, and paying for rent, food and transportation was difficult. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200-250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Shop at smaller grocery stores in the Grønland area rather than the large chain supermarkets. |
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? | Equivalent of 3 semesters |
| 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 live in a student complex where more Norwegian students live. This is difficult, however, as those tend to be the more expensive student villages and the cheaper student villages are full of nearly all foreign students. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had gone in the fall rather than the spring. It was very difficult to get to know the city in the dark and cold, but had I gone in the fall I would have had time to explore in the nice weather, instead of racing from place to place in the cold weather. |
Featured Program Providers
