Kasteel Well: Like Living A Dream Past Review
By Samantha D (Writing, Literature, And Publishing, Emerson College) for
Emerson College: Kasteel Well: The Netherlands
It was absolutely worthwhile. I feel as though I was removed from my "American bubble" and feel more a part of the world as a whole now. I've learned how other people live their lives and what they believe in, and that there is no one way to do something right, and that is probably the most valuable lesson I've learned so far in my life. I've gained confidence in myself, and am not afraid of producing the ideas and work I want to build my life on. I've changed my academic pursuits to focus on writing, literature, and publishing, and don't know if I would have had the confidence to do so if I had not participated in this program. My life has been literally changed.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
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* Host Country Program Administration
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Everything about this program was really great, and every strength has a weakness. Academically, it met all it's needs. As a study abroad program, I found it to be a bit too seclusive. It's roughly 85 Americans in a very small place in the middle of the Netherlands countryside, so it's really easy to stay within our own bubble. Don't get me wrong, it's amazing living in a castle, living in a close community environment, and feeling at home in a foreign country, and I wouldn't trade those things for any alternative. Though when it comes to being immersed into Dutch culture or branching very far outside of a comfort zone, I think it lacks. |
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| 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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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be frugal, and spend most of your budget on travel expenses, experiences, and cultural foods. Try not to spend all of it on little things you can find anywhere. Rent a bike, because on the weekends you stay back at the Castle, you'll need to get out and go somewhere. Any student with a thirst for traveling would benefit from this program. |
