Challenging, but I wouldn't exchange my experience for the world! Past Review
By Janice B (Environmental Science., Fordham University) - abroad from 08/19/2012 to 12/14/2012 with
Syracuse University: Strasbourg - Syracuse University in Strasbourg
its harder then you think to learn a language and live with someone who can't speak english, but it is worthwhile for your improvement and the laughs you will have
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. |
Some courses were harder than others, but in general it was fairly easy. There is a 15 page paper due in the middle of the semester, which I found to be quite stressful on a study abroad experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They weren't always available for help, however they do help you find an internship which i thought was a huge plus! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved my host mom, she was so sweet and kind. Thought it was kind of strange to have her 38 year old son living up stairs, but I guess that is more normal in France. |
| * Food: |
Delicious and different! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Strasbourg gives you the opportunity to really practice your French and see a more intimate picture of real french people unlike Paris. However, it was still difficult to break French student cliques and meet other people. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No experience, but heard great things |
| * Safety: |
Super safe. I rode my bike home to the suburbs at 1 am. |
| 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) |
super expensive there. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 bucks |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | buy a rail pass. |
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 |
Too much english in my opinion. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Junior Usage |
| 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? | Practice with your host family |
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? | 0 |
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? | That it was a pretty small town and Im a big city girl. |
