Rigorous, Rewarding Work Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/15/2019 to 12/11/2019 with

National Theater Institute: Moscow Art Theatre Semester (MATS)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was in intense movement classes I do not have access to at home and individual attention to my acting work.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

24 people had to share one tiny kitchen

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I wish we were invited to see more student theatre at MXAT

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

No other program has actor training like this. If you are an American actor looking to spend three months committing wholeheartedly to challenging, immersive acting work, this is the program to do.

Finances

* 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)

Due to the rigorous schedule, it was often not feasible to buy groceries and cook meals, so we had to eat out a lot

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-150

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced Italian, no experience in Russian
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The Russian teachers and students
  • The movement training
  • Endless free theatre
* What could be improved?
  • Eliminating the gender divide
  • More organized field trips to shows
  • Rewrite the handbook
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Russians students are shy but they want to be your friends!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!