Truly a learning experience. Past Review
By A student (Music., Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/02/2013 to 03/19/2013 with
Syracuse University: Strasbourg - Syracuse University in Strasbourg
I learned that you can never be too careful.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was not able to complete the courses, but I found them interesting with a reasonable amount of work per day. They were fairly easy, with a good amount of resources. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The collective staff was very helpful. But the director of my program was more helpful at times than others. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was in a convenient area with a nice woman and comfortable living quarters. |
* Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was not there long enough to fully integrate but I'd say I was doing well. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My program was very helpful in assisting with my health concerns, but the options I was given for taking care of myself were not pleasing. |
* Safety: |
I felt mostly safe up until the point at which I was assaulted and chased down a street near my home-stay. Safety advice for future students would be trust your gut, and always take the more public route i.e. the tram or bus over walking alone at night. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
* 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) |
It wasn't incredibly hard but it wasn't incredibly easy. I had to really watch my funds for food, travel and other expenses. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Atleast 90 euros. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy groceries if you can. It will save you a lot of money. Going out to eat every night is not good for expenses. Save that for weekends. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Frequent encouragement from my host mother and professors. |
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? | An intermediate-advanced course. 1004 was the course number at the university. |
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? | Start conversations with host family members, make a pact with your program friends to speak the language in increasing increments of time. |
Other Program Information
* 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?
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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 had researched the programs before picking this one. I kind of just saw this one and liked it, but I didn't compare it too anything else or really look anywhere else. I also know now that extra precautions must be taken in a foreign country. Always be aware of your surroundings. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |