Invaluable adventure! Past Review
By Marlee (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee) - abroad from 08/03/2017 to 12/16/2017 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Ho Chi Minh City - Semester in Vietnam
This was the most enlightening experience I've ever had. I gained insight into two new cultures as well as a region of the world I new nothing about. I learned a lot about myself too, putting myself in situations (good and slightly uncomfortable) that I had never thought about before.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* 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? |
Uniloft was awesome housing experience in Thailand, and living with a host family in Vietnam was a great experience. |
| * Food: |
Best food I've ever had!!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
learning and intergerating into a new culture is always a little awkward, but nothing to fear! It's a new perspective you will take with you for the rest of your life! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
in a heartbeat, no questions about it |
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) |
Southeast Asia is very friendly to the student budget. Everything is much less than in the United States or Europe. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30-40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Live and Eat like the locals! |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | none |
| 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? | get out and try to use it in any situation you can. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Ladies should bring clothes that are comfortable for the back of motorbikes! |
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. |
