It is what you make it Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/13/2019 to 04/29/2019 with
Boston University: Geneva - Internship Program
I learned how to be more independent and experience a new and different city.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
roommate situation was great, housing facilities (especially the kitchen) could have been much better (but I think they are redoing the kitchen so hopefully that will be fixed) |
| * Food: |
Program doesnt provide food but it is near a grocery store. As for food in Geneva, its really expensive. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel like this program isn't very immersive in the city itself. Maybe it was because my internship left me fairly isolated but I barely met people outside my program and none from Geneva or Switzerland. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Its pretty easy. The hospital is easy to get to and the clinic is very close by. Navigating geoblue is also pretty simple. |
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I made some really great friends and I am glad I got out of the bubble of my home school. |
Finances
|
* 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) |
Geneva is literally the most expensive city so dont expect to be saving money here. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out that often, don't overshop at the grocery store, only buy one drink when out because they are really expensive. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| 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? | AP Spanish (this program was 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? | Keep practicing after the class component ends. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew that the internships aren't guaranteed to be in a field you're interested in. |
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! |
