Left Brussels a much more mature and independent person Past Review

By Hannah A (Drexel University) - abroad from 08/17/2013 to 12/15/2013 with

Study Abroad Programs in Belgium

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

I made some absolutely amazing friends who made the experience very worthwhile, my French improved, I learned a lot about European politics, I met someone (romantically), I really matured being away from everybody I felt comfortable with from home...It was just all around an amazing experience.

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Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Attending Vesalius College was not exactly something I looked forward to every week, but I made some great friends in my classes there
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Ruby is the best. The. Best.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	We were given a lot of food and resources at the very beginning so that we arrived in Brussels without having to go hungry or go straight to a supermarket. The rooms are pretty nice, although quite intimate (you don't have much personal space but luckily my roommate and I became very close). Location is great. However, my apartment got bedbugs which lasted for a few weeks and was probably the worst part of the study abroad experience. The landlord, Javier, was always very helpful and responsive though, and dedicated a lot of time and effort into getting rid of them. He's awesome.
* Food:	Amazing. Speculoos is ridiculously good and if you find yourself at Lidl, get the Straciatella Yogurt. #1 thing I miss about Brussels' food.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	The very last week, I got very very ill and had to go to the hospital. The one closest to me was on Avenue Louise and was a very nice and safe hospital. I arrived and they immediately set out to help me and within the hour, I went home with antibiotics that helped my sickness go away. They have medicine in Europe that works better and faster than any American medicine. Take advantage of it if you ever get sick.
* Safety:	I am from Washington DC and attend college in Philadelphia, so to me, Brussels was a 20 on a scale of 1-10 regarding safety. I never felt in danger and there were always people who seemed ready to help you if somebody sketchy was anywhere near you. Although that rarely happened.
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)	Just learn to budget properly.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	80
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Lidl is a great, cheap supermarket. Also, I got really excited the first week I was there because I could drink (I was 20 when the program started) and lost so much money to alcohol. Save that money for traveling.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* 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?	Working at the European Parliament The ability to travel all around Europe Ruby, the program director, as she was always there for me and supported me throughout the entire experience
* What could be improved?	Housing...I only say that because of the bedbugs and the slow wifi More of a language component I can't think of a 3rd thing. This program was great
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That I should value every minute I spend abroad and really make the most of my experience. Europe is so easy to explore and so worthwhile.

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 Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

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