Top decision of my life Past Review
By Sharlette Carey (West Virginia University) - abroad from 05/13/2013 to 06/28/2013 with
CIMBA: Paderno del Grappa - Undergraduate Program
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad empowered me as a young woman in business and left an impact across many aspects of my life. My experience proved to me that I could go to an unfamiliar place by myself, feeling unprepared and unsure of what may lie ahead and come out of it having even more of a desire to explore new places and embrace the unknown. Challenging these fears has put me on the fast track to conquering my career goals and personal aspirations because I no longer hold myself back due to the “what if” dilemma.
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. |
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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? |
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* Safety: |
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If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would always choose CIMBA- and in fact, I did choose to return to the program for my MBA! |
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) |
If staying in the area, very little money was required. During the travel weekends, however, I splurged on international trips with friends. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I started making cold cut sandwhiches at breakfast and saving fruit to bring with me on bus rides to cut back on unnecessary costs. |
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 |
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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? | Beginner |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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 realized how fast the time would go. If I knew how much I was going to enjoy living in Italy, I would have opted to do a full semester over a summer session. |
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