Classes are fun, but so is mountain hiking (and Salzburg in general) Past Review
By A student (Trinity University) - abroad from 05/20/2016 to 06/22/2016 with
KIIS: Salzburg - Experience Salzburg (Summer)
More than anything, I feel like the musical takeaways were what will really stick with me after this experience. I learned so much about myself as a musician by being in such a musically rich program and city. I also feel that I am a smarter and more efficient traveler as a result of this program. It was ABSOLUTELY worthwhile.
Review Photos
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 courses I took--Diction for Voice Majors and Mozart's Operas--were not terribly difficult. As long as the students took good notes and reviewed them before quizzes and exams, we turned out just fine. All of the professors in this program were engaging, passionate, and creative in their presentation of the course materials and subjects. While not particularly intense, the classes and professors had so much to offer, and I feel that I came away from the program as a better musician and scholar. |
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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? |
We stayed at a hostel, about 10 minutes south of Salzburg's city center. It was clean and the beds were comfortable, but sharing some small bathroom spaces for 5 weeks wasn't the most fun. The hostel's wifi left much to be desired. These things did not detract from the quality of the experience, though, and all of it is paid for in the program consts! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because this program is taught in English, it may be hard to feel very connected to the culture unless you have a background in German (I lucked out there). But the program excursions within the city allowed us to acclimate to Salzburg very easily. By the end of the trip--and thanks to the help and knowledge of our program director and assistant program director--, we all felt like pros and Salzburg felt like home. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
For any music student, getting to study in the city where Mozart was born is a dream come true. The music culture in Salzburg is so incredibly rich and accessible to everyone. I came away from the program as a more well-versed music student, and I believe that that makes me a stronger musician and performer, even though this program is not performance-based. In addition, the non-music experiences were equally unforgettable. It isn't every day that you get to say to yourself, "I think I'll hike up a mountain this week," or, "I should get a few friends together and go to Prague for the weekend." Salzburg is the most beautiful city and it is right in the heart of Europe (and the Alps). The activities outside of the classroom--whether it's hiking, traveling, or simply going to a local biergarten--are endless. |
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) |
Salzburg isn't the cheapest city in the world, so it's important to budget carefully. For me, this meant not going out to dinner every night and, instead, buying some food from the nearby supermarket for weeknight dinners. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-$150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | DO NOT eat out every night. Find food stands/trucks in the city, or buy food from the supermarkets. Traveling to nearby European cities and countries is tempting (and, in many cases, so incredibly worth it), but make sure you plan ahead so you don't spend a fortune on train tickets. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I had known how badly I needed to budget before going, which is entirely my own fault. |
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. |
