Traveling is cool. Past Review
By A student (English Literature (British and Commonwealth)., Franciscan University of Steubenville) - abroad from 08/27/2011 to 12/10/2011 with
Franciscan University of Steubenville: Gaming - Austrian Program
Excellent train/plane/bus stories. Strength to endure tough situations. The knowledge that some suffering is worth it, and really makes great stories later on.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Some of the best classes I've ever taken from the University. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The fact that you're living in another country can't really be helped. It's just different. Different can be good, and different can be fried cauliflower for dinner...It was certainly an adventure, and we definitely did not starve. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being an American in Europe I was constantly warned and advised by other Americans and Professors and Staff and etc. during talks and everything, that I was an American in Europe. Ignoring the fact that people kept telling me to act less like an American supposedly acts, and more like a European acts, I still felt rather integrated with the culture. It would probably have been better if all the Americans stopped talking about how American I was though... |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have a single health issue. |
| * Safety: |
I think Gaming is probably one of the safest places I've ever been. Firstly, Gaming is surrounded by mountains and nature. Secondly, everyone in the town knows everyone. Thirdly, you're living in a castle/monastery/hotel with lights on almost all the time, 24 hour adoration, 140 other college students you know well and trust, nuns, priests, and usually at least one room mate, who you also trust. My host city, though totally not a city, was incredibly safe and I love and miss it. Leaving Gaming is where safety actually mattered, and a good rule to follow was simply to always be with several people you trust. |
| 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) |
Easy. |
| * 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? | Probably 100 american. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy and pack your own food from Gaming to take with you. Don't underestimate the value of a granola bar when you're starving and in a train station waiting hours for the next train. Buy and pack a whole bunch of cheap food. Also, get friends to travel with you or exactly the number of friends a hostel will give you a deal on, like a two person room being cheaper than a 1 person room, etc. Be smart. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | You have the opportunity to learn something and then proudly come back to America running around saying words in German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Hungarian, French, and whatever other language you come across in your travels. Take this as an opportunity to learn a couple words from every language you can. It's fun and it let's you connect to people throughout the world. |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | That you should have probably spent more money than you did in Europe, because presents from Europe are better than having more money now. |
