Difficult but Rewarding Past Review
By Stefani G (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/05/2013 to 04/26/2013 with
Boston University: Paris - Internship Program
I learned a lot about myself and my ability to work out problems and live on my own
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.  | 
 While the professors were great, only having six weeks of classes was exhausting. The course work is not very difficult but it was not a lot of time.  | 
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 * Host Country Program Administration
 On-site administration of your program  | 
 Always available if needed.  | 
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 * Housing:
 How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?  | 
 
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| * Food: | 
 You had to cook for yourself in a host family home and got no help or advice on this  | 
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 * Social & Cultural Integration:
 How integrated did you feel with the local culture?  | 
 There was no programming for social activities other than two small activities.  | 
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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
 
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 300 | 
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? | Advanced | 
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 5th semester French | 
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 
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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 * Who did you take classes with?
 Select all that apply  | 
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| 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? | 
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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? | How independent it is on the student | 
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! |