Study in a hot zone Past Review
By Alex S (Communications - Journalism, Utah Valley University) - abroad from 05/12/2012 to 06/03/2012 with
Utah Valley University: Traveling - Middle East
Calling it "worthwhile" doesn't do the program justice. It gave me a profound perspective on an issue that I didn't really I had such a high stake in. I wouldn't ever give this experience back and would recommend it; but it's not for the weak-willed or faint of heart. It's a harsh subject in a harsh land.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Jordan, Birzeit University, Hebrew University |
| 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 experience was absolutely amazing and the information I received was priceless. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The University of Jordan was definitely the best experience for me. Birzeit was very accomodating but we had to be creative with the classes sometimes due to student strikes. Hebrew University seemed to have better things to do that accomodate us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was excellent in Jordan and Israel. I personally didn't mind the housing in Palestine, as I've had worse, but I do recognize that it left one wanting for accomodations. |
| * Food: |
Excellent food everywhere. I still crave hummus and flatbread. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated with the culture. Spending time with local students definitely helped. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I can't recall any health issues, nothing major. |
| * Safety: |
If one is studying in a conflict zone such as this there should be a certain awareness of potential dangers, but I never felt I was in threat of any immediate danger. |
| 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) |
I did spend more than I thought I would out there, but that's probably because I like to spend money when I'm travelling abroad. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * 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? | About $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Talk to locals to see what's inexpensive. Always find out what the price is before ordering. And remember that some places with barter the price of food so don't be afraid to play that against them. |
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 |
We learned some basic Arabic before leaving. That wasn't the focus of the program but it might be nice to come away with a bit more. We hardly knew any Hebrew. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | In Arabic, hardly anything. |
| 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? | Just speak it and ask the locals for help. I carried an English-Arabic dictionary everywhere with me and I was able to get by with that pretty easily. In the more touristic areas everybody speaks English. |
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? | Many Israelis are defensive and even hostile towards Americans, which I was not expecting as we're supposed to be allies and Western media greatly supports Israel as the shining beacon of democracy in the Middle East. |
