Internship in Geneva Past Review
By Jessica L (English/French, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/01/2012 to 08/01/2012 with
Brigham Young University: European Internship Program
I have gained from this experience valuable knowlege about how international advocacy and diplomacy actually works as well as knowledge about important issues and causes that I hope later to continue working with. This experience was definently worthwile as it allowed me to better solidify what I want to do in the future, and it has provided me with valuable experiences to help me achieve my goals.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Through my intership I was able to find housing with a local host family, the Vopicellis. I loved being able to stay with them and see how a local Swiss family actually lives. There were a few problems, mainly regarding moving out and food, but it was a very positive exerience to stay with this family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
N/A |
| * Safety: |
Geneva is a very safe city, although there are a few sketchy areas. |
| 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) |
Geneva is a very expensive city, and so it was quite hard to live on a typical "student's budget." Food was included in the housing, but things still added up quite quickly. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * 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? | 300ish |
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 |
Geneva speaks primarily French, although everyone does speak English. I found it very difficult to find opportunities to consistently use my French while abroad. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | French 463 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | I do wish that I had spoken more with past interns, so that I could better understand what I was actually going to be doing and what I would be expected to do. My expectations were in the end different from what I ended up doing, but I greatly enjoyed the experience none the less. I also would have attempted to be more knowlegable about women's issues than I originally was. |
