Soaking Up All Amsterdam, Paris, and Italy Have to Offer! Past Review
By Elizabeth S (Early Childhood Education, Texas Christian University) for
Texas Christian University (TCU): Traveling - Education: Montessori Method, Summer Program
Overall, my study abroad experience was an eye-opening one. I not only learned about different countries and their cultures, but about myself. I now understand my capabilities and have learned so much about myself as a friend, student, future teacher, and person.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Our course mainly was about reflection and cultural and self awareness. Most of the "workload" was in Amsterdam when we learned about the Montessori teaching method. We visited Montessori schools and talked as a group about what we observed, what we learned, and what we hope to impliment in our own teaching styles. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our professor was knowledgable about Montessori and Reggio children. She was very caring and supportive of our group. I really liked how she gave us the freedom to explore the countries on our own. We were never alone, but we were able to go off in small groups to explore the cities and do things that we really wanted to do. I think this forced us to be more aware of our surroundings, map conscious (very important!), and more self-confident. I now feel confident in my abilities to travel abroad again some day. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We stayed in hotels for the majority of the trip. In Reggio Emilia, Italy we stayed in apartments. All the hotels were accommodating, safe, and clean. The apartments were very nice. We were able to cook some of our meals. |
| * Food: |
Be open to all types of food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If possible, go to the tulip gardens outside of Amsterdam. They were incredible! All the popular tourist spots in Paris are a must see. Try to visit Montemarte, a town outside of Paris. From the top of this town, you can see all of Paris. The view is simply breathtaking. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe most of the time while studying abroad. I think it's natural to be nervous and cautious in a new, different country, so there were times I was more aware of my surroundings than others. Fill out all of the appropriate forms for health and safety prior to the start of the program. |
| 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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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be open to everything while you study abroad. Try food you normally would not eat, visit popular tourist landmarks as well as the local's favorite spots, watch people's interactions, listen to the different languages. Soak up every moment! |
