World's Best Experience! Past Review
By Ariel B (University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 01/19/2012 to 05/02/2012 with
Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus
It wat eh most owrhtwile thing a person can do. I learned abotu the world in a first-hand way, had discussions about apartheid with young south african university students, and all kinds of memorable and unique experiences
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Virginia |
| 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. |
Semester At Sea's academics are definitely underrated but the teachers do expect a lot from you and while the quantity of work may be less than at your home institution the quality they expect of you is not. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration both onboard the ship and in the ISE office were incredible. So accommodating, work to make sure that you are able to participate in the program no matter what and once onboard the ship the field program office works tirelessly to make your FDPs work for you |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Cabin Stewards are amazing, Economy is not bad at all, sometimes you even luck out and get a huge room, for 3 roommates on the third deck! |
| * Food: |
Learn to love pasta and potatoes, but luckily that gets broken up by amazing food in every country. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You can be as little or as much integrated as you'd like, the only limit is on the amount of time |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Clinic on board the ship, hours are a little inconvenient but it if there is ever a real emergency the doctor is right onboard! |
| * 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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| * 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? | $15 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend more money than necessary on the ship! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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 large tour groups are not the best way to travel |
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.' |
