Live and Breath Comedy Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/25/2016 to 05/12/2016 with
Columbia College Chicago - Comedy Studies at The Second City
I learned more about the types of comedy that I already knew about as well as other kinds. I also learned more about myself as a comedian.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was a lot of work, although none of it was too difficult in a traditional sense. Creatively the experience was intense, as the program's environment pushed me to do my best and try things that I hadn't done before. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Although Second City runs the program, Columbia College hosts it. I had heard that there were issues in the past with this, but it seemed like they worked these out and the two organizations were well coordinated. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was not provided, but I got a very nice apartment close by. |
| * Food: |
I had to get food on my own, except for the first and last days of class. Deep dish pizza was brought in for the last day, and that was pretty good. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The city was nice and its culture was by no means difficult to adjust to. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any major health concerns. |
| * Safety: |
I felt pretty safe, as I lived close to the program. Some of the students who lived farther away had issues, but these were mild. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program was wonderful. Each student came into it having some background in comedy, and was exposed to various comedic forms through classes and by working with each other. I feel like I could walk into any comedic institution and have at the very least a decent grasp of what goes into the work there. |
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $130 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The earlier that you're able to see what you typically spend in a week and set yourself a budget, the better. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I know to be less worried about the objective quality of my work and to focus more on being personally proud of it. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
