Canada: Not What I Expected...In a good way Past Review
By Samantha W (Theatre, Stephen F. Austin State University) for
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - Explore Canada
I definitely felt my experience was worthwhile. I have now decided that I want to get my master's in French. Going on this trip helped me realize that.
Personal Information
| 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. |
Workload was manageable. Grading system was normal. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My expectations were met. The professors were very well prepared and I felt comfortable with them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In Montreal I disliked the hotel, not because of the hotel itself, but because of the area it was located in. It was in an uncomfortable part of town. It was also really cold and I wish I would have had several other blankets. The staff was nice for the most part though. |
| * Food: |
Canada is a great place for vegetarians. There are many options from strictly vegetarian restaurants to many vegetarian options on mostly any menu. I loved the food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Going out with the French students was really memorable. Having a beaver tail. Walking downtown in Montreal and exploring both cities was my favorite part. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Montreal did not feel very safe. Ottawa was much better. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about $250 on food and gifts. I also had to buy a few shirts which I found pretty cheap. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I wasn't sure of the climate when we left. I packed a lot of very cold weather clothes and there were a few days when the temperature got in the 60's. It seemed like I needed a jacket for every extreme the entire time there. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 430 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Talk in the language with as many local people as you can. Talk all of the time! People will speak to you if you talk with them. |
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? | Bring clothes for every type of weather situation. Rainy. Hot. Extremely cold. Chilly. And make sure you bring extra money because things are expensive in Canada. If you want to try and skirt by, then buy your food from a grocery store because eating out is expensive. |
