Shortest but most fufilling culutal and linguistic experience of my life Past Review
By A student (Russian Language and Literature., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 04/30/2012 to 06/21/2012 with
Brigham Young University: Nizhny Novgorod - Russia Study Abroad
My language ability jumped from an Intermediate Mid on the OPI exam to and Advanced Low in just 2 months.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | School of economics |
| 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. |
Very intense but very doable |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They loved us because we didn't give them problems to deal with |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Bunk beds |
| * Food: |
Amazing!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We always tried to speak Russian. It really depends on how willing you are to get out there and talk and make mistakes |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Just don't do anything dumb like run outside by yourself at midnight. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10$ maybe |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be thrifty... |
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 |
except that one of our classes we did in english |
| 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? | Russian 202 |
| 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? | Speak it all the time. Don't fall back into english when it gets hard! |
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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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? | Don't use a Russian lady's washing machine without asking her if you can use it and how to use it! |
