Past Review
By Claire W (Applied Behavioral Analysis Psychology, SUNY - Binghamton) for
SUNY Binghamton: Graz - Study Abroad at University of Graz (European Studies)
Overall I found it extremely worthwhile and am thankful for the opportunities I was presented with while abroad. I learned a lot about others, the country, and myself. It strengthened my yearn to travel even more.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Winter 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics were challenging but in the end significantly imrpoved my German skills. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I would give Christa's international office a very good rating, but specifically the SUNY Graz staff were not all helpful, and the mix of the two was sometimes confusing and information got lost or was wrong. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was a student dorm where I shared a room with one Austrian girl and a floor with about 20 other students. We had a kitchen, 3 bathroom/ shower stalls, a TV area, and a dining table. It was Leechgasse 1, Graz. <br /><br /> It was in an excellent location, but the dorm itself was old and small. |
| * Food: |
I liked cooking for myself, although sometimes it was fun to go out too, and there were plenty of places to go. It did get pricey by the end. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My history class' weekend trip to Vienna was my favorite part, and the weekend festivals that are held in Graz. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The university is very helpful with assisting for health insurance, and directed us every step of the way, and provided medical assistance addresses and phone numbers. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent 50-80 euros per week, food and traveling were by far the most expensive aspects. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan ahead of time to budget travelling for trips. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
The only problem was with the amount of other international students, everyone's common language was English, which many people used on a casual basis. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | It will help improve your German but do not expect to be completely fluent; most Austrian speak near-perfect English, and it will be tempting for both you and them to use it rather than speaking German. You have to force yourself. |
