A great experience in an often overlooked city! July 10, 2024
By A student (Film & Media, Colorado College) - abroad from 02/05/2024 to 05/17/2024 with
SIT Study Abroad: Belgrade, Budapest, and Vienna - Comparative European Perspectives on Conflict and Democracy
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I've been abroad a few times before this experience, so I couldn't help but compare and contrast my experiences with each other. However, this semester was overall great and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a semester in a city that's not traditionally chosen by US college kids!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
super satisfied, my host family was amazing! |
| * Food: |
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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: |
Belgrade is overall a really safe city. As a female-identifying person I didn't have an issue with being outside at night while practicing basic safety and caution. |
| 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) |
as long as you make a budget, this program allows you to stick to it! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | -eat with your host family for all the meals they feel comfortable covering (it's a great way to save and also spend time with your host family) -try to use public transport as much as possible (limit taxis/cabs) -buy yourself lunch ingredients and store them where you're staying, so that you don't have to eat out for lunch every day! -find cheap/free activities to do in your free time: visit parks, cheap museums (in Belgrade they were many around $3), find local bars and coffee spots with life music where you can get a drink and hang out, instead of paying an entry fee. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | my native tongue is really similar to Serbian, so I had little issues with understanding the language and using it when necessary. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | practice with your host family or other participants in your program! or go and buy produce from the local market while trying to use only serbian! |
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? |
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? | Keep in mind the program is pretty small and you have the other program participants to form tight connections with. However, if you're someone who wants to immerse in the local culture and hang out with locals, you'll need to put yourself out there and seek creative opportunities for this. It's possible!:) |
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.' |
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