Incredible experience overall but SIT Geneva is horribly run!! Past Review

By (Global Studies, Providence College) for

SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I really can't elaborate on this in a coherrent way. It was an incredible experience tha all college aged individuals should do

Personal Information

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:

Do not expect any support or help from the program administrators on either of these two aspects. There was an assult and robbery of one of the students on the trip and the administrators ended up blaming the student for her assult due to the fact that she walking home alone. She had a fractured leg and refused to assist her with recieving medical care. It was the most bizarre and morally reprehensible thing I had seen in years

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Allow your budget heading to switzerland to be 50% larger than you initially think is apporpriate if you have the financial means to. The cost of living is incredibly expensive, and travel will be more costly than you imagine. This is a once in a lifetime experience and being restricted from doing things due to financial reasons is the last thing that you will want to happen

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The academic program was horrible. The administrators and professors are horrible human beings and some of the most pitiful excuses for academics, but the students that are atracted to this location are incredible and unbelievably talented. The location is second to none. I had the bet experience of my life but it was in no way thanks to SIT. It was my fellow students and the location that made it the experience it was. If you want to study in Geneva, DO THE BOSTON COLLEGE PROGRAM!!!