American style program with Middle Eastern flare Past Review
By Kristin P (COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES., Villanova) - abroad from 01/10/2013 to 05/03/2013 with
American University in Dubai: Study Abroad in the Middle East
I learned so much from my roomate and friends as to what it is like to live in the Middle East and the surrounding region.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 |
The Administration is ver slow with getting things done. It takes a lot of phone calls and emails in order to get what you need. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My roommate was from Afghanistan and she was wonderful! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was more integrated with the cultures surrounding the Middle East rather than Emirati culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Security on campus is extremely strict with many students having a midnight curfew. The grounds were completely enclosed with gurads at all entrances. |
| 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? | $100 - $125 |
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 |
Everyone in the United Arab Emirates speak English, Arabic is never necessary. |
| 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? | No language Courses |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
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? | The exact people to contact when I had a problem |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
