AMAZING - BYU in Iasi Past Review
By A student (Sociology., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 04/21/2012 to 07/23/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Romania
I changed in Romania. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It is the best thing I have done while being a student at BYU. I am a completely changed person and my perspective on life, the gospel, myself, people, etc has changed for the better. I loved those kids. I can't believe how fast you fall in love with them and how big of a piece of my heart those kids will always have.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Brigham Young University |
| 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. |
I think this internship required a lot of preparation and work. I learned a lot about the culture and myself. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Mario is amazing and saved us in Romania |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my apartment minus not having a stove but I think they are getting a new one. |
| * Food: |
I love Romanian FOOD!!!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This was super hard for me. I felt suffocated by Romanian culture sometimes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had to deal with healthcare and I never really got sick. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe but I know some girls didn't and handled situations badly. |
| 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) |
I lived in up in Romania |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | prepare financially |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Romanian 100 |
| 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? | Jump into it. It's embarrassing and I asked a lady for shoes in size 99 but laugh it off. I wish I umped into talking more with people. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | I wish I had know how hard it actually would be some days. It was worth it but I wish I had prepared myself better for situations and feelings that came us. |
