Adventure of a Lifetime Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Trinity University) - abroad from 08/21/2013 to 12/21/2013 with
IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I learned my passion for languages (I really miss hearing other languages in stores or on the streets) and I learned to become much more independent. I learned how to navigate public transportation as well as traveling to other countries without assistance. I gained a new perspective on American culture and on European culture. It was absolutely worthwhile and I think everyone should study abroad if they are given the chance.
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. |
I found that some classes were slightly too easy while others were unusually difficult, and I think much of this has to do with the quality of the professors. However, I enjoyed the content of all of my classes and found my German class to be the most enriching. |
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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? |
On the one hand I liked living far from the center of the city, but on the other it made immersing myself a bit more difficult. I still made the effort, but I would have appreciated living a bit closer to the center of the city. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Much of this had to do with my decision to do the teaching internship, and how this experience helped me to immerse myself in the Viennese culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I've never felt more safe in a city. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook! |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | N/A |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to practice or embarrass yourself! It's the only way you'll learn. Even if you speak in a foreign language to a local and they answer you in English, continue using the foreign language anyway if you can. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? |
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? | It is the most meaningful experience I have ever had, and I'm dying to do it all over again. I wish I had known how quickly it would fly by, and people really aren't kidding when they say that coming home is the hardest part about being abroad. |
