More than I expected Past Review

By (Trinity University) - abroad from 06/11/2012 to 07/26/2012 with

SIT Study Abroad: Iceland - Renewable Energy, Technology & Resource Economics (Summer 1)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The program helped me define my career aspirations.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University of the Westfjörds, University of Akureyri
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* 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? About $125

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
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? I had no exposure to Icelandic before my trip.
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? Try to read and understand billboards and signs as well as picking our words from conversations.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Traveling around the entire country
  • Small study abroad group
  • Freedom to do what we wanted
* What could be improved?
  • Longer duration of program
  • More thorough language classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Things in Iceland are expensive