Music Program in Austria Past Review
By Jeff (Music Education/Trombone Performance, University of Hartford) for
IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
The musical experiences were invaluable. The University of Hartford is completely incapable of giving a legitimate education. The experience is what you make of it. You can either take in everything the city has to offer, or study while taking a 5 month vacation. I saw many students do the latter, and I know they won't regret their choice, but they also will not succeed, or become valid human beings.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2009 |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
As an autodidact, I learned much more on my own, but the academia I experienced through IES forced me to develop in ways that will help me throughout the course of my career. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Their knowledge of Vienna was great, which was helpful, but aside from that, the program has too many faults to list. It is severely overpriced for the quality of staff. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Although I did not like my roommates, I enjoyed being 15 minutes away from the institute, and 10 minutes from the opera. |
| * Food: |
Living on my own forced me to learn how to fend for myself, which I enjoyed. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Aside from the useless orientation, the program gave us, for the most part, free reign over our time, which was what I was looking for. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
In the times where I would expect IES to make me feel safe, I felt safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Everyone is different. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Apartment deposits aren't fun. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I came speaking no German, and after living in Vienna for 4 months, I understand much more than I can speak, but considering the effort I put in, I am okay with this result. |
Other Program Information
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you are a music student, and are evangelical about getting the most out of your experience, then do not let anything stand in your way, but expect to catch a lot of flak from IES and the University of Hartford, and don't expect it to be easy, or work out the way you want. |
