Best Experience All Around! Past Review
By A student (Studio Arts, University of Vermont) - abroad from 06/20/2007 to 05/30/2007 with
Tel Aviv University: Undergraduate Semester / Year in Israel
While abroad I took a large leap forward and matured. When returning home I was prepared and anxious to take on any experience and opportunity that came my way.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
At the time the dorms were older however I know they were renovated a few years after I completed my program. |
* Food: |
The food is Israel is incredible! Tel Aviv offers a variety of cuisines and has A LOT of cafes and restaurants. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone in Israel is friendly and welcoming. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was extremely ill with the flu while abroad and the counselors immediately made an appointment for me to see a doctor. Directly after the doctors visit I was able to pickup a prescription at the pharmacy. |
* Safety: |
I felt incredibly safe while on campus, in Tel Aviv and all throughout Israel. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I was on a budget of 100/week. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat the local foods! The produce and dairy are absolutely delish! |
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 |
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How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
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? | NA |
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? | Take the ulpan course and continue through the semester. The Ulpan teachers are wonderful and very helpful. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
* 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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* 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? |
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 knew I could have studied abroad for a year instead of a semester. If I could do it all over again I would have applied for a full year. The more time in TLV the better! |