Unforgetable time exploring Moscow with the Moscovites Past Review
By A student (University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 05/09/2012 to 05/17/2012 with
Plekhanov Russian University of Economics: Moscow - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was very worthwhile. It was just another trip that showed me that stereotypes are way off. The people were so warm and open. The hospitality is unmatched.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We didn't take any classes we just gave presentations and answered questions. The kids were very involved with our topics and seemed interested. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Russian university was so generous and helpful. They made sure we always had people helping us get around and made two meals a day for us. Someone always knew what was going on and it went smoothly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We stayed in a wonderful hotel (Arbat) where everyone spoke English. The rooms were always clean and nothing was taken off the table or from our suitcases. |
| * Food: |
We had all the traditional meals at students homes and it was unbelievably good. The hotel food was edible and they had enough American options around that you wouldn't go hungry. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Russian students told us why people were doing certain things and explained about Victory day. Any questions we had were answered. We even tried Russian clubs and talking with locals. By the end of the trip we all had Russian accents. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Never an issue when I was there. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt threatened at all. No one approached us. We took the subway many times and there was never an issue even when we sat alone away from the group. |
| 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) |
We were there a week and I only spent $100 on food and souvenirs. Could have spent less if we would have ate at the university more often. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The food at the university is very good and should be utilized. Else the food is really not that bad. Just buy souvenirs off of Arbat street and there won't be any problems. |
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? |
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 learned a little more Russian before I went. The students were more than happy to speak English, but I felt useless when I couldn't order my own food. |
