Bliss (and stray cats and shawarma and smoke breaks) on Bliss St. Past Review
By Kaylee Lockett (Bard College) - abroad from 01/09/2017 to 05/18/2018 with
American University of Beirut: Beirut - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes! I learned how to care for myself in a difficult environment, how to make the most out of living abroad, how to conduct research in a foreign language...
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 |
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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? |
I had difficulty getting a counselor at AUB to connect with me, and despite many attempts I was never able to receive counseling through the university. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes because of the institution and the connections I made, however I would be tempted to study in Cairo instead because I would be forced to use Arabic more. |
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? | $70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook, even if you're in the dorms. Know how much you should pay for a cab/service and don't overpay! Make use of the buses. |
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 |
It was a requirement in Arabic class and I used Arabic in some other classes, but it's difficult to speak Arabic in Beirut sometimes because in many cases English/French is preferred. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Arabic |
| 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? | Do research in Arabic, speak Arabic with people even if they speak to you in English/French, travel outside of Hamra, talk to your cab drivers. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Make room in your suitcase to bring back arak and sweets! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
