Wish I Could Go Back! Past Review
By Alexander DuMont (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/18/2017 to 12/12/2017 with
DIS Stockholm Semester
I gained a lot of perspective on a unique culture that I previously knew nothing about. It was extremely worthwhile and I would recommend studying abroad to everyone.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* 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: |
I thought that the students living in dorms received too little money for 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: |
Stockholm & Sweden as a whole are extremely safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Stockholm was amazing and I would not change going there. I met so many great friends and had a lot of wonderful experiences. If I could change anything I would try to stay in Europe for a year and spend the second semester in Italy. |
Finances
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* 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) |
I spent a lot less than $100 per week on food and expenses - but I'm not sure that is a good thing in a city as expensive as Stockholm. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$30-$40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you want to save money, live in a homestay. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 106 |
| 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? | If you live with a host family, speak to the host family in their language and ask for tips on talking. If you don't, try and use the language when interacting with strangers and friends. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | Traveling in Europe is not as cheap as everyone says it is! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
