Awesome!!! Past Review

By (Political Science and Government., University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 06/13/2012 to 07/25/2012 with

CIEE: St. Petersburg - Russian Area Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to much to say- it was the best decision Ive made so far in college

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* 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? 60 to 100$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? things like clothes and shoes and tech are expensive in Russia and so bring those that you will need with you- but be careful of theft

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? intermediat 1
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? My grammer really improved but I didnt get to use the lang as much as I would have liked in an everyday setting

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • the people I met in the program
  • the program administration
  • the city
* What could be improved?
  • more focuse on making clear to host familys that the students are trying to learn the lang
  • starting some parts of the program earlier
  • starting trips a little later in the day on the weekends
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I felt very informed