Helpful language study at BGU Past Review
By Andrea B (Political Science, New College of Florida) for
Ben Gurion University of the Negev: Beer Sheba - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained a lot in terms of conversation skills and grammar. It was a very helpful language program. It didn't change my plans, but was very well in line with them.
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. |
The workload was fair, grading system easy to understand (although grades took a while to get to my home institution). My teachers were great and the staff was helpful and engaged throughout the program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was, for the most part, helpful. They were kind and engaging. The main disadvantage was some disorganization and last-minute planning. The program size was just about perfect (about 15) and I achieved my goals. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Dorms were perfectly adequate. I was living with an international student and another one from my same program, so we didn't need to communicate in Hebrew (therefore most communication was in English and I didn't gain much linguistically from the living arrangements). I brought my own sheets and towels, otherwise I would have had to purchase them. |
| * Food: |
We took care of our own meals (i.e. not through the program), dietary restrictions were easily accommodated. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were some trips, like to Masada and hiking. However, the most memorable and valuable were the ones that I organized by myself/with friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
City was safe, public transportation easy to use. I helped one friend who needed to spend a night in the hospital; it was more or less without incident. Be smart, and you'll be find. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Don't be scared to talk to people, from your roommates to people in the shuk. Although most people spoke English, most were happy to help you practice Hebrew. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | If you're self motivated -- both academically and personally -- you'll get the most out of the experience. If not, there are still opportunities to engage, but you'll have a better time if you explore! |
