Amazing Past Review
By A student (University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/20/2018 to 12/15/2018 with
IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I learned German and I was able to experience a different way of life
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. |
It was a great program and everyone was super helpful and kind. |
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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: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made a lot of Austrian friends and I still talk to them today |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Everyone from my program was very helpful in making sure I got to the doctor. When I got to the doctor though, it was different because it felt like I was going to someone's house. She was supposed to run blood tests on me because my tonsils were swollen but she didn't and just automatically thought it was strep throat. She gave me antibiotics which ultimately made me worse because I started throwing up and my fevers got higher. I didn't know who to go to because I was way too sick and I was scared to go to the hospital thinking they would make me more sick. It was not a good experience and I didn't have any help with anything, I was not allowed to go into the IES building because they were scared everyone else would get sick. I had to pack alone and go to the airport alone with all my luggage while having a 104 fever and feeling nauseous. I ultimately was able to make it home but it was not an easy or smooth experience. I didn't need any vaccines for this program. No one around me was sick. |
| * Safety: |
I felt relatively safe while walking in the city. Going out to clubs and places at night is a little questionable though. There were a lot of men that would approach my friends and I. |
| 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 was relatively easy if you get groceries and try to cook at your apartment 90% of the time. If you want to go out to restaurants, clubs, and cafes it gets pretty expensive. If you want to travel, definitely try to save as much money as possible |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150-$200 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save your money for travel! It's worth it. |
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 |
I used German all the time. I'm still learning it too |
| 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? | I already speak Spanish so I didn't have to take a language in school. I took Italian and did really well in that class too |
| 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? | Just make friends with the Austrians. I know it can be scary but I became friends with the RA's in the program and they introduced me to their friends from University so I met a lot of people through that. |
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? | That I would basically be around Americans every day. I wanted to be alongside Austrians more |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Arts Administration |
| Course Department: | Business |
| Instructor: | Martin Schwartz |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | It was a great course and I realized that I wanted to do that as my career |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No, I didn't have any issues |
