Past Review
By Miles T (Public Health: Global & Community Health, Tulane University) for
SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - Global Health and Development Policy
Yes. Although Switzerland was far too developed and orderly for my taste, I learned a great deal about the study topics, linguistics and subtle differences in culture, met extremely influential contacts, and got a taste of the professional climate I am pursuing.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Teaching methods were up to date and effective in preparing students not only for the independent field study, but also provided a realistic grounding for work after college. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Earl Noelte, Jill Benderly, and the other administrators were extremely involved and helpful in every aspect of the study abroad experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend SIT Geneva simply for the opportunity to work with and learn from the instructors. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Most housing was with a family outside of Geneva, which was extremely helpful in learning the language and local ways of life. My only concern is that many students were placed at a distance from Geneva, which made transportation to and from classes, events, and the city itself somewhat difficult. |
| * Food: |
For lunch, I often bought groceries at the supermarket and made food for the day, which saved a great deal of money, provided healthy options, and allowed a good deal of choice in what I was to eat. At the homestay, the food was delicious and well prepared. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
SIT provided numerous trips to Paris, Lugano, Croatia, Morocco (special case for independent study), and other parts of Switzerland, and allowed time for outside travel (more time in Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Rome) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was almost a non-issue, though we were prepared by SIT on how to avoid dangerous situations. I experienced a knee injury near the end of the trip, and SIT provided very useful help in finding a doctor and catered to my special needs after the injury. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Geneva is a very expensive city. The biggest unexpected costs were the high price of eating out, and the price of alcohol, though these costs can be easily diminished by buying food at grocery or specialty stores and drinking less alcohol or buying alcohol in stores instead of bars. Travel can be extremely cheap, so long as the student uses the right resources (EasyJet, Fly Baboo, Ryan Air, Wizz Air, etc.) |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Living with a French speaking family in Geneva provided a difficult, yet manageable framework for using French in everyday life, and gave me the ability to learn the language from those who use it in the ways they use it. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be ready to become completely involved in your studies; especially your independent study. Be prepared for your academics and personal goals to come together. Be prepared - always look your best and be at your mental prime, because you will be making contacts with experts and officials at the UN, WHO, ILO/BIT, UNICEF, and a large number of NGO's in Geneva, Paris, and Lugano, who may become influential in your career some day, and will certainly provide direction in your independent study. |
