The Brockport Novgorod Russia Summer Program Was A Hassle, But Russia Was a Great Experience Past Review
By Elise D (Russian Studies, German Studies, SUNY - Binghamton) for
Study Abroad Programs in Russia
My experience was worthwhile only because of the exerpiences I made myself by making friends at my internship sites and exploring on my own. The only worthwhile parts of the program were the excursion to St. Petersburg and our classes. Other than that, the Brockport program was only an unnecessary hassle to be dealt with.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Our professor for Russian language was the absolute best instructor I have ever had in the language. I learned more in a few short weeks than I had the entire previous year. The teaching style was very interactive and speaking based, and the instructor created an atmosphere very condusive to learning language. Our Russian history professor taught in basic lecture style, similar to most American lectures. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program director consistantly did not give us details for excursions thoughout the entire program. The entire program was poorly organized, with most information finally reaching us the night before an excursion or event. Even with important information, such as paperwork to be sumbitted in order to obtain grades, we were left completely in the dark, and were treated as pests if we insisted on clarification. The program director was highly unprofessional, giving false information to the program coordinators at SUNY Brockport, and falsely accusing students of misconduct without proof. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My building looked pretty run down from the outside, but the location was right near the city center in a very nice-looking part of town. It was pretty safe until about midnight. The location was about a 20 to 30 minute bus ride form class, but close to nightlife. To settle-in I had to buy toiletries, but my family provided most other things. |
| * Food: |
Russian food is not particulary the greatest. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
St. Petersburg was amazing and the local festivals were definitely a great thing to experience |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Many people got sick, and families and teachers were concerned, but we were only treated with herbal medicine and theraflu tea, which they think is a cure-all. healthcare was really lacking. In other cases also health issues were ignored. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | $650 (US) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | keep track of what you're spending! also, you never know what weather will bring or how satisfied you'll be with food at home, so it pays to plan ahead and bring a little extra. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was able to practice Russian in the classroom during our language class, was well as with my host family, with other workers at my internship site, and in everyday dealings in stores, cafes, and on the street. Very few Russian were able to speak a level of English that could allow for conversation. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Find a better one. |
