Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Advaced Russian in Vladimir: A Great Summer Past Review

By (Philosophy, Harvard University) for

Critical Language Scholarship Program: CLS Russian

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my Russian language skills.

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.

I improved my Russian language skills.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program was good overall. I wish that we had more for personal travel.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The food available was rarely vegan friendly.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The trip to St. Petersburg was great.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I did not experience any safety issues.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring cash. Debit cards are not accepted in stores.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate Russian
Language acquisition improvement?

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • langauge study
  • host family
* What could be improved?
  • more personal time
  • internet access