Moscow: an Actor's Dream Past Review
By Rachel B (Drama, The Catholic University of America) for
National Theater Institute: Moscow Art Theatre Semester (MATS)
I gained an incredible amount of understanding for another culture that I now love. I can't wait to return and explore the things I didn't get a change to. I learned more than maginable both about my craft and about myself. I know taht I need to trust myself a little more and just relax. I learned that I can trust other people on the stage and that they will support me if I need it. I want to learn more about the language and culture in the future as well.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was a lot of work to be in class 6-8 hours a day, 6 days a week, but there was virtually no homework. Theater is truly respect as an art in Russia and in the school I studied at, we were allowed to explore in a safe artistic environment. No one thought about grades for the entire semester; we were learning because we wanted to and because our professors were incredibly knowledgable in their craft. We were also granted to opportunity to learn what it means to become an ensemble. Not only did I want the best for myself, but I also wanted the best for every single one of my peers; there wasn't an aspect of competition (except for the competition with oneelf) that often turns into an illwill towards others. |
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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 did not have to buy anything to "settle-in." Our neighborhood was nice, safe, and in the heart of the city, two blocks from a main road. We could take a metro, bus, or cab to school if we didn't want to walk. Housing was included in the program, and we lived in the same dorm as the other students studying at the school. We had to press a buzzer and then show our student IDs once inside in order to be let in the building. There were also plenty of grocery stores near by. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100.00 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | certain foods are incredibly expensive |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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