Russia Past Review
By Stephanie B (Economics., Indiana University of Pennsylvania) for
AIFS: St. Petersburg - Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
Definitely worth it.
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? |
A decent taste of Russian society. Near metro, not close to city center, but between metro and taxis it was easy enough to get to. |
| * Food: |
You don't go to Russia for the food. It was decent. It depends on the individual. Nothing to do with the program. |
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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: |
It's Russia. |
| 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 |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Russian 2 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Few people spoke english. Moderately immersive by nature of country. Took a Russian language class 4 days a week for 3 hours a day. Practiced with roommates/friends. Used always in public. |
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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