Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Excellent chance to study and participate in World Health Challenges & Solutions Past Review

By (Shenandoah University) - abroad from 05/15/2018 to 05/23/2018 with

Shenandoah University: Guided Experiential Learning / GEL

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Gel Switzerland was incredible! The faculty was experienced and provided guidance in study preparation and actual WHA attendance (including recommendations of side meetings)when in Geneva. Had chance to tour WHO, Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross Museum and GAVI - all extremely worthwhile. I returned home with a much broader view of world health. THINK GLOBALLY-ACT LOCALLY

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.

I felt the course was challenging. There was a good deal of reading and study in advance to prepare. I appreciated hearing classmates' topics and briefs as well. I appreciated learning the world status on my brief, and bringing it home to the U.S. status. Only thing that would have made it better was to have met the representative who presented at WHA on my brief. (However, the presentation occurred after our departure.)

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Excellent. Swiss and WHA program participants were cordial and welcoming. All arrangements were as planned. I felt safe at all times.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Hotel accommodations were excellent. Transportation was clean and convenient. A very walkable city too!

* Food:

Excellent! Hotel breakfast each day was incredible. Planned meals were varied and delicious!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very comfortable amidst the Swiss and the attendees at the World Health Assembly. I only wish I could have met a representative presenting on my topic.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

no issues

* Safety:

I felt safe at all times. As students, we always followed a "buddy system" which was appropriate

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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200 extras, souvenirs
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat the hearty breakfast, free at hotel. Bring snaks (protein bars etc) or keep fruit an snaks in your hotel room. Your 1 meal on your own can be very minimal (cost).

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Faculty
  • IStudy from World Health perspective and application to U.S. and local actions
  • getting to know other SU students
* What could be improved?
  • chance to meet the Rep presenting our (brief) topic
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had pre-planned WHA meeting attendance. Some interesting side meetings filled up(and required RSVP) others occurred simultaneously. Plan ahead to get the most out of meetings attended.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

PH550
Course Department: GEL
Instructor: Michelle Gamber
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The instructor and faculty on the GEL Switzerland trip were very knowledgcieable and able to guide me on my study topic and participation in events during the World Health Assembly. I felt challenged and immersed in the world's business of health- which I could only experience studying abroad. Preparation and advance study was appropriate for conference participation abroad.
Credit Transfer Issues: no issues