A pretty good semester abroad Past Review
By A student (American University) - abroad from 01/31/2016 to 05/22/2016 with
American University of Sharjah: Sharjah - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My courses were enlightening because the students in my classes had personal experiences that they offered which I would not have gotten at home (in courses like Arab history, middle eastern politics). I made amazing friends - most of which were other American exchange students, however some friends were local students. The school is incredibly diverse and you can learn a lot from people's different background. Almost all the local students speak Arabic so in theory it should be easy to find students to practice with (however it is difficult to get people to practice with you and they speak to you in English instead).
Review Photos
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? |
No
One of the biggest reasons I say no is that I think i could have learned more of the language and Arab culture at another program (Jordan for example). I knew this coming in but still decided that UAE would be a good option. |
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 |
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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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Intermediate 2 |
| 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? | The Bridge Language Exchange program was helpful but unfortunately my partner and I didn't meet very often |
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? | Like I said before, it is really difficult to be integrated into the local culture. UAE is so diverse that Emiratis tend to seclude themselves and are less excited by foreigners. I made no Emirati friends at all. Aside for Emiratis specifically, integrating into the local culture (music, language and food) is something you have to push for. You could easily never learn Arabic music, eat non-American food and only speak English the entire semester if you don't make an effort to integrate into the local culture. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
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