King of the Castle in the Netherlands Past Review
By Zahir M (Film Production, Emerson College) for
Emerson College: Kasteel Well: The Netherlands
It not only molded me into a respectful traveler, but made me realize the rest of the world is always an option. The U.S. is not the only place I have to look forward to anymore, because now i feel more comfortable to go out and give another country a chance.
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. |
the workload seemed less but more fair than the work in America. I felt the teachers knew how to teach students rather than a course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My expectations of their help were exceeded. They were full of help and almost always knew the answers to my travel/cultural related questions. It would have been easier if they knew about the American culture but it was pleasant to teach them as well. They should have a chance to visit America and have their own overseas experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The classes were in the adjacent building and easy to reach within a minute. The neighborhood was very safe and I never felt afraid even in the middle of the night. I did have to bring sheets. All of the students were treated like family. |
| * Food: |
As a Muslim I was unable to eat pork, a common meat source for Dutch cuisine. The food was nice at first but became old and boring by midterms. By the last few weeks I looked forward to eating food from outside of the castle. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Situated in the small town, local cultural interaction was unavoidable and usually pleasant. The first week we all traveled to Amsterdam where we were taught about the Dutch culture and history. Many students also traveled to local bars and restaurants where we learned plenty. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The town was very safe and I was able to travel around alone safely. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used the most common words everyday with the office staff, professors, and locals. Most locals did speak enough English to carry out a conversation and provide the information I asked for. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A different view of a world I tried to imagine. If you want to make life realizations and experience something America cannot, do it. |
