Amazing program in an amazing country Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/03/2016 to 05/17/2016 with
SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - Global Health and Development Policy
what you get out of this program is really what you put into it. For me it was incredibly worthwhile because I was able to accomplish many personal and academic goals.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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? |
My host family was absolutely fantastic |
| * 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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Academically, this program allowed me to grow. Much of the academics on this program are interactive. We visited local public health organizations around Switzerland as well as in Morocco during our one week study trip to Morocco. Also, the independent research project requires you to interview professionals and it is a great way to network and served as a basis for a senior thesis for many students. Personally, I fell in love with Switzerland, found a second family there, and greatly improved my French. My host family was by far the best part of the program for me and what made this program so incredible for me. It's a great way to learn about local culture and improve language skills. That being said, living with a host family is not for everybody. If you prefer to be independent and go out a lot and just being in your own schedule maybe living with a host family is not for you and another program with different housing options may be preferable. |
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) |
Switzerland is expensive, however SIT gives you a stipend for lunch and your host family is expected to feed you breakfast and dinner. It is possible to live on a student budget if you budget your money thorough out the semester. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $40-$60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Write down what you spend when so you can keep track of your money. Local grocery stores are great inexpensive lunch options |
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 |
Everyone on this program has to take a French course, but French is not a requirement for this program. However all public health classes are in English. Thus it is completely fine if you do not know any French. Many host families speak English. I personally choose to speak only French with my host family because I've studied French since high school and improving my French was a personal goal for me this semester. |
| 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 |
| 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? | Speak French with your host family and locals! |
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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| 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? | Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and push yourself to accomplish your goals. Your semester abroad flies by and it will be over before you know it so try to make the best of it from the beginning. |
