Hakuna Matata Past Review
By Austin W (Longwood University) - abroad from 05/31/2015 to 07/05/2015 with
Hampden-Sydney College: The Münster Summer Program
You learn alot about yourself and the world when studying abroad. I am a firm believer that everyone should study abroad in college.
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. |
This program definitey improved my reading and speaking skills in class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program is with WWU in Münster, but we had our class in Schlaun gymnasium and they were rude and completely disorganized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The success of this trip is solely dependent on your host family. I had to switch my host family after this first week and then the second family i had was just as uninterested in getting to know me as the first one was. |
| * Food: |
The host families are reimbursed for all the food that they buy, but I usually had to eat alone. I think I ate a total of 7 dinners with my host family. So I frequently went out to eat, just an additional cost onto this program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Münster is a cool little city, just the right size. All you need is a bike |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never used it |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Münster |
| 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) |
It has a very high cost, but I do believe it was worth it. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not buy useless things. |
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 |
My favorite part of the day was going to class. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 400 |
| 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? | Read the newspaper, talk to strangers, just use the language |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | My host family was not going to be interested in talking to me. I was really looking forward to it, but it never happened |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
