Unforgettable Past Review
By Katherine D (Family Studies, University of New Hampshire) - abroad from 02/19/2012 to 06/28/2012 with
API (Academic Programs International): Krakow - Jagiellonian University
Was it worthwhile? Absolutely, without a doubt. But I cannot put into words what I gained and all that I learned. I simply through myself into a place I knew not much about and got everything I could have asked for in return. This program taught me so much, and I came home a new person, I now know myself because of API Krakow.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were majority lecture style, and ended with intense term papers, but what was required of you during the semester was near to none. A definite change to what we are used to in the US. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
API is so helpful and amazing, and Piotrek is without a doubt apart of your abroad experience family! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Classic polish apartments, just a mile for the main square. The walk to and from class I took every day was unbelievable. Not to mention the dozens of bakeries every other business on the way... |
| * Food: |
Googling Polish recipes is scarier than indulging in them. Its delicious and addictive! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Amazing! I didn't speak a word of Polish before arriving in the city which didn't present a problem at all. Majority of the younger folk speak English along side the restaurant business. Not to mention the amount of non polish students studying is immense so you are surrounded by not only Polish cultures but many others leading to the common language spoken, English so you definitely have an upper hand. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There is health care access everywhere whether its an Apteka on every other street or calling Piotrek for an english speaking doctor. |
| * Safety: |
Taking in the fact you are in a big city in Poland, it feels small, and safe. There are some dangers with walking home at night but nothing I was worried about when walking with one other person. Even walking alone I had no trouble, but don't recommend it without pepper spray for the "what ifs" |
| 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) |
The dollar is so much strong than the zloty its amazing how little you are spending day to day. Even being on a strict budget you are able to live so much more flexible in a country like Poland. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Varies week to week so roughly $30-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you're spending, spend in Poland! Other than that, budget, budget, budget! Weekend trips cap your spending, going out to dinner each week? Budget. Shopping on the weekend? Budget. The time it takes to save the money you will go abroad with will add up so the first weeks and months you feel like you have a lot, but don't go crazy. At the same time, you are abroad! This is a once in a life time opportunity, be frugal but not cheap, experience it if you feel the wanting to do so, and never miss out! |
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 |
A beginners course in Polish was required of us. I fell in love with the class while it still being the hardest course I've taken. I had a class with students from all over the world and we were close along with our professor. It was the best! |
| 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? | Highschool french... |
| 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? | Don't spend your time in your apartment reading your books...get out there and talk to Poles! It feels awkward because you aren't confident in the language but that's why you talk to people that do know it. Make polish friends, spend time with them and their friend, its the funnest way to study. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | To write in a diary every single day no matter how tired or how much I didn't think I needed to... |
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. |
