Less School, More Experience Past Review
By Kate C (Public Relations, Advertising, Applied Communication, Truman State University) - abroad from 02/05/2015 to 06/30/2015 with
ISEP Exchange: Linz - Exchange Program at Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
My experience has been very worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with uncomfortable situations.
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 turned out that none of my courses will even matter towards my major and will just be pass/fail electives. I spent this time focusing on learning German and traveling different places. In the beginning I spent a lot of time in class but the classes are very different from the US. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were helpful in a situation when I needed them, however they seemed very rude and disrespectful to me sometimes. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Julius Raab and it is the #1 place for exchange students to live. Everyone lives together and thats where everyone hangs out and parties. I lived in a single room which is nice but I shared a kitchen with a hall that was most of the time disgusting. |
| * Food: |
The mensa has food that is no different than the sodexo food we have at Truman. I rarely went there and just bought my own groceries. |
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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 had no experience needing healthcare, but it is extremely expensive. |
| * Safety: |
I always feel safe here. Even though it is always not advised to walk alone anywhere, I frequently walked alone home from a party or to a shop. People are very friendly. |
| 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) |
I have spent much more than I expected when preparing for the time abroad. However this also includes a lot of traveling. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just because you have a couple hundred on you now doesn't mean you should go shopping. A few days later, you will have no money for food. Go to the cheapest grocery stores like Aldi and then if you have extra money, go to a nicer place for produce. |
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'm in a German language class but I rarely use it outside the class because I'm taking English classes and everyone speaks English. |
| 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 took Spanish before coming here, not German. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Become friends with the professor and get off your laptop when you don't understand what is happening. |
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? | Splurge on the eurorail pass. |
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. |
