Challenging and boring but rewarding Past Review
By A student (Government, Wesleyan University) - abroad from 06/13/2014 to 07/11/2014 with
AMIDEAST: Muscat - Area & Arabic Language Studies
It was worthwhile. I learned a lot about the gulf culture which was my primary goal and walked away with better language skills
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers were amazing and while the school part was intensive, I had an overall great learning experience |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of the administration of the program were super helpful and always on call. I din't have any problems what so ever with the way they handled situtations |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was bittersweet. Having an apartment was awesome but I did miss bonding with locals like I would've done with a host family |
| * Food: |
While not everything went down easily, Amid east was super accommodating to all allergies and restrictions I had |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wish we would've gotten to know more locals better. But being there only a month did inhibit this. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Everything was so easy. While it was tough being sick, getting medication and care was accessible and easy. I already had all my vaccines |
| * Safety: |
I felt incredibly safe in this country. The only thing was crossing the street. |
| 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) |
Taxis and transport as well as anything fun cost a lot of money which i was bummed about |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring Cash. ATM fees hit hard. And try sharing cabs everywhere you go. |
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 the perfect amount |
| 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? | 102 |
| 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? | VOCAB and don't be afraid to speak |
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? | That there is very little to do during ramadan in Oman |
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. |
