My time in Brussels, Belgium - BCA Brussels - Vesalius College Past Review

By Adam L (International Business., Liberty University) - abroad from 08/15/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

Study Abroad Programs in Belgium

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned so much about the world and the different people that make up this world. It was a great opportunity to meet new people and to talk with them about how they view things and their experiences and stories from their home countries. It was more than worth the cost of the program as there is no other experience like it and the ability to meet others so easily. Studying and living in another country will define the next step you will take in your life and it will be for the better.

Review Photos

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.	It was a completely difference experience and a great one as well. Most of the classes were a perfect mix of difficultly but others were almost a joke.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Everything came together in the end but it is fairly unorganized.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I had an amazing experience with my host family and I would say that this was one of the highlights of my study abroad experience!!
* Food:	Food was amazing! No matter if it was cooked by my host mother or bought off the street.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
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)	I was able to live very well off a student budget but this was mainly because my host family was amazing and I did not have to purchase food unless I wanted too.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	25
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Make sure to shop at bigger markets or stores for your food as it will cost half the price of street vendors, if not more.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	I would say the program is setup for you to choose how much you want to integrate a language into your life. You can live there without knowing French and use English all the time or you can try to use some French when the opportunity arises.
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?	none
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?	Use the language.. don't be shy or embarrassed because you will mess up but the only way to get better is to push on and keep speaking it. Then before you know it you will be fluent!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
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?	Location of Belgium Host Family Internship
* What could be improved?	BCA involvement in the host school More information on the host school
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	You are going to be going to a very small school that has around 300 students, nothing wrong with it but it was very different than my home university.

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 Blazer Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Human Resource Management
Course Department:	Business
Instructor:	Professor Frank Billingsley
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I did learn a little bit in the course but it wasn't anything that I didn't already have an idea or know about.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Finance
Course Department:	Business
Instructor:	Professor Yeo
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Teacher was amazing and very knowledgeable. I learned a ton from this course and I had a fun time learning as well. The class could get a little boring at times but the professor makes up for that with her humor.
Credit Transfer Issues: