Most influential experience in my life. Past Review
By Michael Hamilton (United States Naval Academy) - abroad from 08/28/2019 to 12/20/2019 with
Learn Russian in the EU: Daugavpils, Latvia - Semester Abroad Program in Russian Language and Natural Sciences (STEM)
I learned a lot, not only about Russian, but also the local culture and history. I also learned a lot about what it is like to be in another country interacting with a foreign culture.
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. |
I loved this program so much as it didn't only focus on the language but also the culture and history. My favorite part was participating in a dance group at the university where I was able to make lots of local friends my age and learn a new style of dance. I also really enjoyed the excursions, in the United States, you simply can not see where a lot of history happened, this program showed us where history was made including the good, the bad and the ugly parts of history. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration did a great job of accommodating us with any needs we had. They quickly addressed any issues that came up from medical to housing. They even found several local things for us to do outside of our program such as attending concerts and what not. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The host families they put us with were extremely helpful in practicing my Russian language. I also enjoyed being able to ask them questions about life here and what it is like to live here. They would provide more information on where I could buy things or do certain things also. |
| * Food: |
All food was out of this world. I especially recommend checking out the business lunches here. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I fealt like I got integrated into the culture as much as a foreigner could. Through my dance friends, I was able to participate in several cultural events that I likely wouldn't have otherwise. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program addressed any health issues promptly. |
| * Safety: |
I fealt reasonably safe while here. |
| 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) |
Food is extremely cheap here, I could regularly eat lunch for 3 euro. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30 euro max |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of the business lunches!! Most places have them. |
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 encouraged us to use it as much as humanly possible. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Halfway through my 200 level 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? | Make local friends that are willing to speak with you in Russian and not english when you hang out. |
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? | 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? | That the scheduling is really wonky and classes are usually scheduled on a week by week basis. This led to some weeks having lots of class and some weeks having no class and I wouldn't know until the sunday before to make any travel plans. |
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.' |
