Beautiful Country and Amazing Program Past Review
By Shauna N (Public Health, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/20/2020 to 05/04/2020 with
SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - Global Health and Development Policy
Gained worldly exposure, learned from experts of humanitarian crises, had access to the UN European Headquarters in Geneva. Also was able to learn firsthand while living in a village in Morocco for a week - hands down a once in a lifetime experience!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academically rigorous, but on such interesting information and current events! |
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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? |
Living with a host family is such a blessing - they welcome you into your family and it feels like home! |
| * Food: |
For those who have dietary restrictions (i.e. gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, etc.) you may want to consider another country. The Swiss tend to only eat cheese, bread, coffee, and chocolate! |
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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? |
No vaccines needed for this program. |
| * Safety: |
Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world; that being said, it is common knowledge to stay safe and have a group with you as much as possible! |
| 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) |
1.5: Everything in Switzerland is extremely expensive - even the toothpaste. Luckily, SIT gives a food stipend for lunch, and your host family provides breakfast and dinner. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~ 150 Swiss Francs |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just try not to spend too much money on pastries! |
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? | 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? | Intermediate Spanish |
| 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? | Even if you mess up and it makes you uncomfortable, practice the language! The French tend to be nicer and more favorable if they see that you're attempting to communicate with their language. |
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? | Expect to walk - A LOT. |
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.' |
