I found this program as a rewarding and wonderful experience that I will forever carry with me Past Review
By Karolina I (Global Studies, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota) for
HECUA: The New Norway - Globalization, National Identity, and the Politics of Belonging
I found it worthwhile, I learned things I never would have leraned in a classroom. Being able to actually live and visit as well as talk to government and social officials and people who lived in the city was a great experience.
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
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was satisfactory. The teaching method was a bit different from what I am used to, but overall I enjoyed the entire program. I liked the class discussions and field seminars. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The readings and workload was pretty self explanatory. The program director and teaching assistant were readily available for any questions we had about assignments. Prior to arriving to Norway I had no knowledge of the Welfare system, but now I feel I have a grasp of what the Welfare system does. The program size was great, it was a somewhat big group, we all generally got a long very well. My expectations were met. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I dind't really dine out too much due to the high cost of food. With the stipend we recieved monthly it did limit to how much food I was able to buy and what sort of food I could buy, due to the fact I had to use some of my stipend to pay for cell phone minutes and transit pass |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I enjoyed our trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen. I especially liked Christiania in Copenhagen, which is known has a "free town" I found it extremly interesting. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Overall the city felt safe to walk around, with the exception of a few incidents that happend. Around September, it was reported they found a girl dead in one of the restrooms of the University and most recently there have been rapes happening at night. It was extremly easy to travel around the city by the metro system and bus transit. |
| 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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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? | If you are interested in Scandinavian studies and interested in cross-cultural studies I would recommend this program for those types of students. |
