The Dutch Know Best Past Review
By Kayla V (Sociology, Drake University) for
Webster University: Study Abroad at Webster Leiden
I wouldn't trade it for a million dollars. I learned that I can live in a foreign country by myself and that makes me feel that I can accomplish quite a bit more than I ever expected I would be able to. It simply broadened my horizons and made me realize that I don't have to be stuck in the same place for the rest of my life: there's a whole world out there waiting to be explored.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Leiden University, Central College Abroad |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Definitely very different. Papers aren't double spaced and professors expect you to take initiative for your own learning much more than they do in America. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program directors were also professors which I think caused some problems with authority between the professors and students. Communication wasn't always the clearest. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
No food provided, had to cook and/or buy everything we wanted. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Many class excursions which were a blast. We travelled to Belgium as well as many other Dutch towns that we wouldn't have experienced otherwise. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Leiden. Obviously walking around Amsterdam alone isn't the best idea but I never felt intimidated or worried about my safety while abroad. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Just do it. It was the most rewarding thing I have ever done for myself. I even met the love of my life while there, who knows, maybe you can, too! |
