CUNY Union Semester is a very demanding but rewarding program Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/13/2017 to 05/19/2017 with

CUNY SPS: New York Union Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned about the history, politics, structure, operations, and tactics of labor unions in New York City; a topic I knew very little about prior to this experience. I am now considering a returning to New York to seek employment for a labor union after I graduate and Union Semester gave me the connections to do so. I was worthwhile.

Review Photos

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 I really enjoyed living in New York and learning about the labor movement there in ways not available to me in Middlebury. This program included a 32 hour/ week internship as well as a full course load with four classes, so it was incredibly demanding and immersive. I built strong relationships with other participants in the program as well as other people involved in labor in New York.

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?	$50 on food/ week (less when lunch was provided by my internship), plus about $600/month in rent.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	For the Union Semester program specifically, ask the union hosting your internship to support your travel expenses by paying for transportation costs. Get in touch with past participants in the program for tips about finding affordable housing.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans Other
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students 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?	How immersive it was between the internship and courses The relationship building that happened with other participants The opportunities it granted for exploring a new city and building relationships there
* What could be improved?	More unstructured time More advising from program coordinators More interaction with other CUNY students in different programs
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I had a clearer idea of what my schedule would be like during the program and where exactly I would be working and taking classes, so that I could find living arrangements with a shorter commute time.

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 Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	LABR 302 - Contemporary Labor Issues
Course Department:	Labor Studies
Instructor:	Ed Ott
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Ed Ott has a tremendous amount of experience as a leader in the labor movement. He co-authored one of our course texts "New Labor in New York: Precarious Workers and the Future of the Labor Movement." Our course included weekly readings focused on different case studies of labor organizations. Our class discussions were also grounded in current events with a global focus. I participated regularly in this course. Including some reading responses, this course culminated in a final paper and presentation about a contemporary labor issue of our choice. This allowed for extensive research using CUNY's resources and a deep application of our historical and political learning. This course was challenging and enjoyable.
Credit Transfer Issues:	TBD

Course Name/Rating:	LHIS 301 - U.S. Labor History
Course Department:	Labor History
Instructor:	Chloe Asselin
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course had a fairly demanding work load between readings and assignments, comparably challenging to most courses I have taken at Middlebury. In class activities included lectures, discussions, and screenings of documentary films and audio pieces. Assessment included an in class presentation, weekly reading responses, and midterm and final papers. Content included overviews of the history and context of the labor movement throughout US history with a focus on people of marginalized identities. Professor Asselin is a phenomenal instructor with extensive knowledge of labor history who is an excellent facilitator of class discussion. I participated a lot and in multiple modes, through in class discussion participation, reading responses, and other class activities. Our syllabus was thoughtfully compiled and efficiently and thoroughly covered a tremendous amount of information.
Credit Transfer Issues:	TBD

Course Name/Rating:	LPOL 301 - Work, Culture, and Politics in New York City
Course Department:	Labor Politics
Instructor:	Wilson Sherwin
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course included regular fieldtrips across New York City focused on the history and politics of the labor movement, including museums focused on the legacy of slavery in New York, visits with city government officials about labor policy, and meetings with community organizations running grassroots resistance to corporate gentrification. The course culminated in a 20 minute presentation about a moment of political conflict in New York City history. The course involved weekly journal entries, readings, and documentary film viewings, and field trips. I participated frequently in class. Wilson Sherwin's experience in the labor movement and extensive knowledge of New York City culture shaped the course positively.
Credit Transfer Issues:	TBD

Course Name/Rating:	LABR 399 - Labor and Workplace Studies Field Work
Course Department:	Labor Studies
Instructor:	Andres Puerta
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course drew on readings about the labor movement as well as our experiences in our fieldwork internships to fuel in class discussion. It also required many papers specific to our internship placements to reflect on the topics covered in class, such as organizational structure, communications, campaigns, and efficacy. Our professor was very knowledgeable and had a lot of experience in the labor movement that he drew from in teaching the course. I participated regularly in this course.
Credit Transfer Issues:	TBD