Brussels: An Experience of a Lifetime! Past Review
By Natasha D (International Business, Bryant University) for
CIEE: Brussels - Business, Communications and Culture
• Flexibility and adaptability across cultural and language barriers, open-mindedness • Problem solving and stress management • Independence, assertiveness, self reliance, and self knowledge
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Work load was much less, there was more of a focus on bigger assignments. Teaching methods were mostly all lecture based. Participation was not important for the most part. Grading system scaled differently, and 85 is an A. Teachers were much less approachable abroad. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
This program is amazing. Everyone is extremely kind, helpful, and accessible. Things are planned out very well, and the program coordinators and knowledgeable and supportive. My expectations were exceeded |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a beautiful house with 3 other American students. We had the entire house to ourselves, all three floors! |
| * Food: |
The food is amazing! Definitely go to Kokob (located near the Grand Place on Rue de Carmen) Les Brassins is amazing for traditional Belgian food (located near Avenue Louise, near the Place Stefanie tram stop) Also check out the Friterie in Foret, near the Barriere tram stop, best fries in Brussels! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Normandy, Bruges, Christmas markets in Aachen |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Relatively safe, as with any city, always use caution! In terms of healthcaare, local pharmacies are extremely helpful and knowledgeable and suggest medication for just about anything! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Conversation Tables weekly, movies, class, locals, host families |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
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? | a student interested in business, culture, and communications, along with politics and international relations. someone looking to really get out there and discover what Brussels has to offer. This city won't jump out at you with things, you have to dig deep, and obtain a cultural understanding, but once you realize what its all about, you will love it forever! Be outgoing, unafraid to try new things, and stay positive! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Germany Under National Socialism |
| Course Department: | HIS341 |
| Instructor: | William Chew |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Extremely Difficult, involved a lot of work. May not be what you are looking for with your experience abroad, but you will learn a lot. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
International Business Negotiations |
| Course Department: | IB |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | |
| Comments: | |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
