Best semester of my life Past Review
By Mathew (University of Hartford) - abroad from 09/09/2017 to 12/23/2017 with
Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus
I gained a perspective on humanity and the world that I never would have otherwise. I met so many unique people and visited places that people only dream about doing in their lives. It was absolutely worthwhile and I loved every minute of it.
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. |
Easier coursework than at Hartford, fantastic professors. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All administrative faculty were knowledgeable and approachable |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very clean |
| * Food: |
On ship food was very repetitive and could have been healthier |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Rating is about ship culture; the ship had a very unique culture and social experience |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had stomach trouble on ship; doctor prescribed me food with light carbs, and the dining hall was "not allowed" to serve it to me until designated eating times. |
| * Safety: |
Had monthly lifeboat drills |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
As much as I absolutely loved and highly recommend Semester at Sea, it is not a program I would do again. It was a once in a lifetime trip for me, and I would probably pick a multi-country trip again, but one that I live on land the whole time. |
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) |
Varied by port but ship life was basically free |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't worry about spending money to get the most out of the trip as possible |
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 |
Experienced so many languages it would not have been possible to learn them |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Took 2 years of high school spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Pick a program with one country... |
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? | 0 |
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? | To not plan any travel prior to the trip beginning |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
