Just Do It! Past Review
By Alyssa O (Accountancy, Northern Illinois University) - abroad from 12/31/2019 to 01/12/2020 with
International Business Seminars: Winter Southeast Asia
I learned that when dealing with those from other cultures it is important to have patience and understanding of where someone has come from because there can be some communication barriers otherwise.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This study abroad trip was amazing! There is so much packed in a short period of time, where I was able to learn how different businesses operate internationally, as well as to have a lot of free time to experience other cultures. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration on the trip were very supportive as well as knowledgeable about the areas we were in. Everyone was so nice and if I had any concerns I felt like I was able to address it with any of the leaders there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The hotels where we stayed were really great rooms and offered great amenities. The locations of the hotels were also great because they were right in the middle of things so we could walk to anything we needed. The hotels were also both by a convenience store where if I needed any snacks or water it was just across the street. |
| * Food: |
The street food was not only tasted great, but was very inexpensive. In terms of how much money I spent on food overall, I would say was around $100USD for 2 weeks. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
On the first day in arriving in Thailand we went on a scavenger hunt that allowed us to interact with locals, as well as plenty of free time throughout the trip. This free time allowed us to explore the areas we were staying and to learn about the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program is very thorough in explaining which vaccines are necessary to obtain prior to leaving. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This experience has exposed me to a culture and international business norms that I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. This experience will forever give me insight and help me when I do start working when interacting with other employees from other backgrounds as well as with businesses that are global. |
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? | 300 |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | four years of Spanish in high school |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
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? | 0 |
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? | Plan your free time ahead of time so that you can make the most of the experience, as well as there being an opportunity to arrive early or leave late to explore international travel besides just the seminar time. |
