Growing Experience. BYU in Iasi Past Review
By Jodie S (Studio Art, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 09/03/2012 to 12/02/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Romania
Absolutely worthwhile. I learned how to work with people I don't get along with. I learned how to live with gratitude and not judge. I learned how to push through something instead of give up. I learned how to work better with kids. I gained confidence in myself.
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. |
I learned a lot from my roommates and just working with the kids. And also the research project. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
She helped me when i needed for sure, there's no way I could have made it without her. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
They were pretty run down, haha, but I felt like it was part of the experience. |
| * Food: |
The food was very similar to American food, except more natural. The milk and cheese were very different, however, and that was difficult to adjust to. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I talked to a lot of the locals, the ones who spoke English. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick a lot, and went to a lab to get tested for strep throat, which I didn't have. The hospitals are not very good quality, though, so I'm glad I didn't have anything terribly serious. |
| * Safety: |
I felt pretty safe. As long as you stay in groups and aren't out too late. Sometimes guys will follow you if you're being loud and crazy in English, but just stop at a place to eat or a public place, don't go home. And they'll leave you alone. Don't ever give your number out, they will ask for it. |
| 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) |
Everything is cheap in Romania, the dollar exchanges very well over there. We cooked all our own meals, too. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't get too excited about how cheap everything might be right away, or you'll spend all your money in the beginning. And be prepared for random unknown expenses. You always spend more than you think you will. And make sure you exchange it properly in your head. |
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 |
We were required to speak 30 min in Romanian every day. |
| 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? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Learn the numbers! repetition. Use it in everyday language, just to be funny, and therefore be practicing. |
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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| 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 knew the Romanian language better. There were lots of expenses I wish I had known about. I wish I had a better idea of exactly what we would be doing. |
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 BlazerCraving 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: |
SFL 399R |
| Course Department: | SFL |
| Instructor: | Carolyn Andrews |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | It was challenging and good. We're assessed through papers. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
