An Exciting Semester Past Review
By Ryan G (Hospitality Administration, German, Grand Valley State University) - abroad from 01/28/2016 to 05/14/2016 with
IISAC: Odisha - Science Semester Abroad
India is not an easy country to be in for an extended period of time. However if you make the effort to engage the culture and maintain an open mindset, you will learn a lot and benefit greatly from this program.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academics were much easier than U.S. coursework, although I did find the courses very interesting |
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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? |
Accommodation was great, although we were somewhat isolated from regular university students |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did go to the hospital twice during this program (I ate a lot of street food), and was provided excellent care both times. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I'd rather explore someplace new! |
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) |
I averaged around $30 per week and was able to live quite comfortably |
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? | Beginner |
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? |
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? | As of this writing, classes were primarily 1 on 1 or with other American students, not with local students. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
