Great experience but some complaints Past Review
By Jeff G (Spanish Language and Literature., Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/25/2012 to 08/16/2012 with
CIEE: Lisbon - Language and Culture
Being abroad is always a great experience. It is definitely more worthwhile than a semester at home.
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
Food was not provided so a comment would not be appropriate. |
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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? |
I had a few health problems and my coordinators were incredibly helpful. They made me feel as if I were at home. |
| * 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) |
Lisbon is very inexpensive. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * 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? | 100 to 150 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook your own food and don't party too much. |
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 |
This was a disappointing aspect. People in our program simply didn't speak Portuguese, and the coordinators were more than happy to speak English with us (which certainly helps in some situations, but you weren't able to challenge yourself linguistically). |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 250 |
| 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? | Integrate yourself into the culture and make local friends. |
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? | How little emphasis would be placed on actually learning Portuguese |
