Kasteel Well: An experience of a lifetime Past Review
By Dominique B (Broadcast Journalism., Emerson College) for
Emerson College: Kasteel Well: The Netherlands
I enjoyed every single minute of the experience and would do it again.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were held up to four days a week with ample amount of time for weekend traveling. I was lucky enough to only have classes three days a week and truly valued that educational aspect of the program. The work load was reasonable and I was able to gain a different experience in seeing the lessons we learned in the classroom out in the real world. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone that was part of the program was very accommodating and understanding of our needs and timing with culture shock. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was a huge change to be living in a small village as opposed to the busier lifestyle of Boston however at the same time I think that many of us took that difference for what it was . We knew that it would probably be the only time in our lives that we would live like that therefore we made the most out of it. |
| * Food: |
The food was probably what we had the hardest time adjusting to. From the types of foods served to the limited hours it was served, a majority of the students in the program struggled with ways to stay hungry through the wee hours of the evening. However the faculty was wiling to take suggestions on what types of meals to make which worked out well. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Aside from the Art field trips I took with my Art History class, I valued the field trips I took with my Intercultural Communication class. My professor, Chester Lee, arranged for multiple trips to various secondary schools in the Netherlands where we were able to interact with Dutch non-native English speakers. It was a rewarding experience once we were able to actually connect after about an hour of speaking. Chester also arranged for us to visit a TBA facility where we explored the inner workings of a rehabilitation institution. He really took what we learned in the classroom and brought it to life. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
We were only there for three months so luckily didn't experience any sort of healthcare issues. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Whether you are an Emerson Student and considering the Kasteel Well Program or a normal college student on this site, I suggest traveling. Take this opportunity to open your eyes to something much more than the small city of Boston and explore the world. You will discover things much more than the normal sights listed in a tourist handbook. You will learn about different cultures, history, and more importantly about yourself. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Art History: Renaissance |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Dulcia Meyers and Rob Duckers |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was by far one of my favorite ones of the entire program. I have always been a lover of art however this class took the photos out of the textbook and slideshows and brought them to life (literally). We visited Rembrandt's paintings along with other Flemish work while visiting Amsterdam. Visited the Neo-Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague with our entire class. Our professors were knowledgeable and passionate about the subject which made the lessons that much more enjoyable. The learning environment was fun and light which made everyone unafraid to participate in the lessons. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
