Strasbourg is the best place I've ever been Past Review

By (Soka University of America) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/18/2015 with

Accès: Strasbourg - Accès Classique: Semester Study Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile. It was a beautiful city and I really liked that there was a lot of young population. I could blend in and felt part of the city. I gained a lot of international friends, but also independence because I didn't have to live on-campus, as I have previously done.

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? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Not including travel expenses, I used around 60 dollars a week in food and hang outs with friends
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? My host family provided 2 meals a day in the weekdays, and since they were very large, I didn't have the need to eat a big lunch. So if you don't want to eat a full extra meal outside your house, you can save money by eating baguette sandwiches or fruits in the street markets if you are not that hungry. If not, eating in the university cafeteria is also good because is very cheap and provides three-course meals

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? B2
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • The trip choices
  • The advice/help with paperwork
  • That we all traveled together
* What could be improved?
  • The number of students per semester (more students in nicer because we can meet more people)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To have a set schedule with free days or holidays so I could better plan my personal trips and travel.