An Adventure Every Day Past Review
By A student (University of California - San Diego / UCSD) - abroad from 06/27/2016 to 08/05/2016 with
UC San Diego Global Seminars: Paris - Jazz in Paris
It was amazing and it taught me how different and amazing European cultures are in comparison to American. With so much within walking distance and a bit of history in every step, it was a new find every day. I learned to appreciate those little things and have begun to appreciate those while back here.
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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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
The program itself was fun and delved into the history of a music genre I honestly didn't know that much about. The content was rigorous, but that did not take away at all from the experience of being abroad and it felt much more like a vacation (with lots of social guidance to seem more like a local) than an academic course. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40-ish |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I'd say go in prepared with a general idea of how much you plan on spending and have an extra $100 on top in case you find some awesome gifts. Also while you're there, since it is 5 weeks, take time to do some price comparisons/shopping around until you figure out what you really want to get. As for meals, there are lots of very affordable places around every corner, you just have to make the choice on eating out every day vs cooking your own meals. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | 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? | To exchange money ahead of time and not have to deal with fluctuating money rates when exchanging cash in the shady-looking part of town. To plan outside trips ahead of time and become friends with others also going on the program too so that flight costs and travel are cheaper and easier to sort out. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
