Rediscovery of Self Past Review
By Arlee Dailey (Berea College) - abroad from 05/22/2019 to 06/21/2019 with
KIIS: Bregenz - Experience Bregenz (Summer)
I learned how small humanity is in the grand scheme of things. We are so small in the world, yet we think that we are the biggest thing out there and our problems need to be the biggest thing.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
My Host parents were fantastic, and I miss them so much!! |
| * Food: |
I liked most of the food, I actually dislike how American-zed the Golden Hirsch catered towards the more vocal and close-minded group members. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was hoping we would have more time for individual time to experience the culture, as I felt as if we spent much of our time trapped within planned meetings and classes as well as various class programs which felt unessary and pulled us away from the culture of our host town. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health issues. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe through out the city. I even walked one night alone (Female) and although my male friend who was unable to walk me home was worried about me, I was not worried about the walk at all. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was during this trip that I realized that I was unhappy at home, living the life I was allowing myself to be put behind when at the top of the mountain I saw how small people are. |
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 struggled due to the fact that I really wanted to get gifts for my family, and that the clothes within the town of Bregenz were pretty pricy, and I had several clothing malfunctions, such as preparing for cold weather as I was told, although the weather was too hot! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about $350 a week on average, due to the price of dining within the town of Bregenz and I also went to Switzerland which is a bit more expensive |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Shop for groceries at SPAR or the local grocery/dollar store. Don't lose your Europass |
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 |
They tried to encourage this, but I don't believe that many of the group members were willing to learn. |
| 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? | freshman year. |
| 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? | Study conversation so you can somewhat talk with your host family in their language. |
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? | 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? | That several pairs of my pants were going to get to big and I should have packed more shorts. Also, a Sweater for night time will be your best friend. |
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.' |
