St. Johns Discover the World Past Review
By todd f (anthropology, St. John's University) for
St. John's University: Traveling - Discover the World, Europe
life and the world around it.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | st johns university, salamanca university |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
the work load was farely light, but all it was no spaced out evenly... usally resulting in alot of work towards the end of the 5 weeks(was in each location 5weeks). other than that the courses were quite nice, and we're mostly based on the city at hand, allowing the students to learn as much as possible about the city. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
all site leaders we're willing to help significantly... but they were also based on the home countries standards, rather than that of the united states, meaning if your going to impose the new culture completely then you cant also force upon us the united states rules and regulations. its very contradicting of trying to full assimulate us to the culture. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
small and after about 5 weeks you need a new room mate, or a single just to have a break because you are litterally with your roommate 24 hours a day. also dont study abroad without a kitchen handy, ull save hundreds of dollars by having one. |
| * Food: |
expensive, and just not into the local food everyday... would like more american style food, and more choices, and less limiting of how much i can eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
go to any tourism site for all the cities, and we did everything on this list... you do everything that the culture has to offer, your like a supper tourist. and culture events, well everyday living becuase thats what ur doing |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
everywhere is safe, we're adults and dont need people holding our hands.(respect us students, and we repsect what you have to say also). |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
almost everyone spoke english in paris and rome, but here in salamanca not so much... its great because you get the first hand experience with the language and you pick up on it quite fast. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | two type of ppl i suggest, very independent and/or have a roomate/close friend that your going to be experiencing this with. words of wisdom: ~!~ if you plan to travel, plan your trips before you even leave for europe, you will save 100s if not thousands this way...trust me! also... very important! this program allows you to see each city in just the right amount of time, i suggest it to anyone wanting to see the world, 5 weeks at a time. |
