I loved my time in Lisboa! Past Review
By Dale E (Loras College) - abroad from 01/21/2013 to 05/23/2013 with
University Institute of Lisbon / ISCTE-IUL: Lisbon - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It gave perspective on the affluence of the United States even relative to other developed countries, such as Portugal and Spain.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were generally very easy and undisciplined with widespread cheating. The lecture material was usually very interesting though. |
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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? |
I met almost all my friends through the residence I lived in. |
| * Food: |
I almost always cooked for myself. Groceries were pretty cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Portuguese culture was generally very similar to that of the US. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any experiences with healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt genuinely threatened. Occasionally I would feel uncomfortable if walking by myself late at night, but the fact that I did it to begin with and never had any issues should attest to the safety of the city. |
| 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) |
I was basically dirt poor the whole semester and got by fine. I maintained a budget of $170/month and was still able to go to bars, bakeries, etc. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $170/month |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The last two months I didn't purchase a Metro pass and walked to school every day. This saved me 35 euro/month. |
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 |
I wish there had been more opportunities to practice Portuguese. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | An entry-level Portuguese class. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | In Portugal it was very hard to find opportunities, as almost everyone in the country under age 40 is fluent in English. |
Other Program Information
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* 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? | How relaxed the classes would be. |
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. |
