Best Summer Ever Past Review
By Heather H (Physics, University of Virginia) for
Study Abroad Programs Worldwide
This internship was great for a first internship and for someone just looking to get their feet wet. However, the best part of the program was the people I met. They have not only become colleagues with whom I network, but also lifelong friends.
Personal Information
| 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. |
The seminars and the internship were very useful. The course assignment, (weekly reflections), however, was not. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was great at getting everyone settled into San Francisco. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
San Francisco has great food, but it can be expensive, so I suggest going to Trader Joes and making most meals yourself. However, definitely indulge at the restuarants at West Portal, China Town, and Fisherman's Wharf. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program went to Lake Tahoe, and it was so much fun. Definitely go parasailing! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There are some parts of San Francisco that are OK to wander during the day but should be avoided at night, like the Tenderloin. There was someone in the program who got robbed at about 9am in the morning a little outside of the city where its less busy, so be cautious all the time. |
| 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) |
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Language
| 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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Things you must do: -Go on a tour that goes to the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and the famous Painted Ladies -Go see Mrs. Doubtfire's house -Eat at one of the cultural restuarants at West Portal -Go to a concert and visit the gardens at Golden Gate Park -Go to the Hate & Ashbury street festival -Participate in Pride Week -Grab a drink at the Top of the Mark -See the North Beach area -Grill at Baker Beach -Have a bonfire at Ocean Beach -Tour Alcatraz, Socilito, and Muir Woods -Get a burger at In 'N Out -Visit China Town -Check out the Castro District -Go to the Exploratorium -Grab lunch at the Ferry Building -Ride in a cable car -See a Giants game and eat the most expensive and delicious crab sandwich ever Tips: -Bring jeans, sweaters/fleeces, tights, and even a cute winter coat for an evening out, as it's very windy in San Francisco and it gets very cold at night. -Don't go out too hard too early in the program. Investing time and effort into the internship will create a great experience. -If you're not 21, there are still a lot of 18+ clubs, but make sure you have a lot of cash on you, as they can be very expensive to get into. Try to look for deals/special nights. -Directions on Google Maps provides routes via public transportation, but are not the most reliable. The best way to figure out how to get somewhere is to look at a map that has the Muni routes on it. -Taco Libre. |
