Explorative Past Review
By Patricia Chen (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/22/2016 to 12/23/2016 with
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: Amsterdam - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about myself and saw just how large the world was beyond my home university. It was absolutely worth while and the friends I made there, I will be in touch with for the rest of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in the international green tower. I had my own bathroom, however as is the norm in Europe, my toilet was located basically in my shower. I shared a flat with 14 or so other individuals so we all shared a kitchen but had separate rooms in our hallway. We did not have great kitchen utensils or equipment, many things were prone to being stolen if left in the open so I kept all my own things locked in my room everyday. The bed was small and the sheets were hot so I purchased my own. But I became very close with my flatmates which made the not so satisfactory living arrangements okay. |
| * Food: |
I lived a stones throw away from a couple of supermarkets so it was very easy to purchase food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
No violence except for organized crime that did not target civilians. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would choose the same area but a different university, one that was closer to the center of the city instead of a 20 minute bike ride away. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 30 euros per week or two. Groceries were very cheap. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Work hard over the summer so you can travel as much as you like when abroad. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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 had taken more advantage of the trips offered to me that toured around other parts of the Netherlands. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
