Most memorable semester of your life! Past Review

By amylia.bult (Franciscan University of Steubenville) - abroad from 01/15/2012 to 05/04/2012 with

Franciscan University of Steubenville: Gaming - Austrian Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I grew so much as a person both in spirituality and maturity. You're really forced to go outside of yourself and put others before you, you grow in patience and trust through all your traveling experiences.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I think the most challenging part was just balancing classes and homework with planning and traveling.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I wish there was more integration into the Austrian culture--I felt like we almost had a little America right there in Gaming--not much insertion into the language or culture. Probably didn't help that all the locals are really excited to practice their English-speaking skills (which was nice) but it would've been nice to have more.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Gaming is the safest place you will ever find, pretty sure. It's small town life, everyone and their mother knows everyone else and their mothers. It's safe. But still be smart.
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)	I was able to live on a budget really well. If you budget and really hold yourself to it, you'll be just fine.My budget was US $2500 (some people did it for less) and it was perfect.
* Was housing included in your program cost?	Yes
* Was food included in your program cost?	Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	When I wasn't traveling, I probably spent 10 euro on other things throughout the week, if that.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	When I was traveling we went to the local markets and split the cost for things like bread, meat and cheese and that made a super cheap lunch. We gave ourselves 1-3 local meals so we could experience the culture in that sense, but outside of that we really saved money by not eating out for every single meal.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
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?	None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	I had no German experience before leaving for Austria, and I really only needed basic words and phrases to get by because so many Europeans speak English.
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?	Take German 101. Talk to the locals.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
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?	How close you get to the other students--you walk away with a new family. The opportunity to travel every weekend if you wanted.
* What could be improved?	Food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	It's not about where you go, but who you go with.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	PHL 113: Philosophy of the Human Person
Course Department:	Philosophy
Instructor:	Dr. Maria Wolter
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Super challenging and rigorous but oh so worth it--everyone I know who took this class wanted to die of stress at one point but what you walk away with from the class is worth it all. Dr. Wolter is really passionate about the subject and wants you to get excited about it too.
Credit Transfer Issues: