An epic adventure frozen in time Past Review
By A student (Economics., University of the Pacific) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 12/20/2012 with
ISEP Exchange: Bern - Exchange Program at Universität Bern
I learned European education is totally different and I don't learn well that way. I need assignments and test to force me to learn instead of having just a final exam. I was able to fix alot of personality issue I had with myself.
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. |
The prerequisites did not match |
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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? |
Private apartment |
| * Food: |
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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? |
No health problems during stay |
| * Safety: |
Bern is completely safe. There isn't really a bad area. |
| 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) |
Switzerland was very expensive. I didn't make any month just on the stipend |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For train travel be sure to buy a Halbtax and a Gleis 7. The Erasmus trips are good too. Ryan Air is cheap if you don't check any bags. Fly Work airlines flys out of Bern for cheap. |
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 |
The dialect was too hard in Bern to use much German |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | German 4th semester Grammar and Culture |
| 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? | Play on local sports teams and try to make local friends |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | The prerequisites and the dialect in Bern. |
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.' |
