Experiencing Canada: Very Educational, Barely Vacational. Past Review
By Chase G (Political Science and Government., Stephen F. Austin State University) for
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - Explore Canada
It was definitely worth my while, but you learn pretty much everything you need to know about Canada so their would be no reason to do it again.
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. |
Workload was about right, could have been a little more specific on the requirements; slightly ambiguous. Teaching Methods: Hands on, authoritative Differences: Nothing substancial |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
One of the biggest problems I have with this trip was the requirements for my "scholarship". It seemed like the administration held the money aspect over my head to make me do things like this survey, attend a certain number of department events and bring friends because they need attendance, do a post trip documentary with pictures and the list goes on. It was really quite ridiculous. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was ok, nothing special. I really got to see the urban lifestyle. |
| * Food: |
Extremely expensive, but I got to try some really exotic dishes. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I learned a lot on the trip but we didn't get to do anything the average tourist couldn't do. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It was moderately safe, nothing to be worried about. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $600 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I was not aware of how much more expensive Canada is and the slight situation of our dollar being worth less than the Canadian currency. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
If you really want to expand your second language, immerse yourself in a region which only speaks that language; not a bilingual region. |
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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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? | A very studious candidate would be best for this trip |
