Breathtaking Past Review
By Alex S (Human Resources Management, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/26/2015 to 05/16/2015 with
Wells College: Florence Study Abroad Program
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I entered abroad as a boy and came out as a man. It teaches you core values that will stick with you the rest of your life. Taking care of yourself in a foreign country for 4 months will challenge you and push you to step outside of your boundaries. The experiences I had also made me appreciate living in America. You truly understand why America is the greatest country in the world once you study abroad. I also intend on living in Europe for an extended period of time once I'm in the workforce. Its rich culture and beauty is incomparable to other parts of the world. Classifying this experience as "worthwhile" is a major understatement.
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? |
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| * 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: |
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| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I suggest buying groceries more often than not. Eating out every night could end up being very expensive in Italy. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | Senior year of High School Spanish courses |
| 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? | none. |
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? | plan your trips once your abroad, do not plan them early because you will be off schedule with the rest of the Americans |
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