An unforgettable experience needed for me to grow Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/20/2016 to 06/19/2016 with
CIEE: Sao Paulo - Business & Culture
I learned that it is very rewarding to take yourself out of your comfort zone although it may not seem so at first.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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: |
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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 an incident where a dog bit me and one of the ciee staff members came to my host home and took me to the hospital and stood with me until everything was cleared up |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I am very happy with the country I chose, I felt very comfortable with the CIEE staff. They made the transition really easy and I felt that i could explore the area well because they were very knowledgeable. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I realized that using your debit card saved me more money than taking out from an atm. Although I would suggest a travel card to avoid having to pay any fees. |
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 |
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| 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? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I would definitely listen to music and look up websites like duolingo that help you learn the basics, and its free! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 10+ |
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 to budget better, and the language a little better |
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.' |
