Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A unique look into the everyday operations of global health policy Past Review

By (Public Health., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/25/2012 to 05/08/2012 with

SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - Global Health and Development Policy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, it was completely worthwhile. I was able to gain contacts working in the types of positions that I would love to see myself in 10 years down the line.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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? $50

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? No language requirement
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • The subject-specific study abroad programs
* What could be improved?
  • The administrative disorganization ended up taking a lot of time out of our schedule, during which time we could have been focused on broaching new topics.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had a better understanding of the Swiss education system and methods of teaching. I feel that the expectations and teaching styles from my academic directors were quite different than what I am used to in the United States.