A Magical Experience Past Review
By A student (Studio Television Production, Emerson College) - abroad from 01/16/2014 to 04/16/2014 with
Emerson College: Kasteel Well: The Netherlands
I gained confidence in myself to plan my own travel and take care of myself while abroad. I made lifelong friendships that I know won't fade anytime soon. A truly amazing experience that, if you have the means, I would recommend to everyone.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
While the classes seem like they will be easy, the final and midterms are much more intensive than at the Boston Campus. It's all about being able to manage your time with all the traveling you do on the weekends. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
OSA and Dulcia are amazing. While they aren't there to babysit you, they are always there to answer questions and help you in any way you need. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Who could complain about a Castle?!? I loved it. Especially being in the tower! What an amazing room with a view! |
| * Food: |
While the food was good, it could get very tedious and repetitive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone in Well is kind and welcoming. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
While I had no real health issues except for a minor cold- I never felt worried about what would happen if I did have bigger issues. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Well, but you must be vigilant in cities you travel too- ignorance can cause people to easily get robbed. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
The program can be very expensive not specifically when you are at the castle during the week, but because you are expected (and want) to travel you can really run up a bill just with travel and food on the weekends. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take buses whenever possible- there are great megabuses that leave from Amsterdam and can take you many places for very little money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | 0 |
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? | Take chances and travel with people that you aren't particularly close with- but also find people who travel in the same way as you. If you want to eat cheap, find other people who want to as well, same goes for the opposite. Even if they aren't your closest friends, they will be. Also, use AirBnB as much as possible- it is often just as cheap as a hostel and much more comfortable. |
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. |
