Lovin' Lisboa and you will too! Past Review
By A student (Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/27/2019 to 05/16/2019 with
CIEE: Lisbon - Language and Culture
I became very independent and organized. I also learned to question cultural perspectives around the world. It was overall a very worthwhile experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were great just not as rigorous as some students from American Universities would expect. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The directors were amazing and supportive! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a great home stay that really immersed me into the life of a Portuguese family. |
| * Food: |
All the food was homemade in the home stay and there was an easy and really affordable cantina at the school for a lunches. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated but not 100% with the Portuguese language if you don't choose to direct enroll. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There were refunds for any health needs and you can talk to the program directors about everything and anything. |
| * Safety: |
Lisbon is an extremely safe city and I never had a problem. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I was really well adapted into the culture because Lisbon is such a welcoming city so I would absolutely do it again. |
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 affordable but make sure to save up for trips around Portugal and other European travel. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 60/week |
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 |
There was encouragement in the Conversation groups, class, and the homestays and well as while in the city mainly. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | None |
| 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? | Really go out of your comfort zone and practice with people that you are comfortable with because that will help you practice with strangers. |
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 wish I knew a little more about my host family but I ended up adjusting well despite the lack of info. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
