Pushed me out of my comfort zone! Past Review
By Anna (Elon University) - abroad from 01/22/2019 to 05/31/2019 with
University of Haifa: Study Abroad at Haifa International School
I learned how to be independent. Definitely worthwhile! I feel like I have changed and grown so much as a person.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Loved the classes, but the 3 hour class periods were difficult to adjust to. Professors + content were excellent. Slightly strange grading, for example, one of my final papers is worth 80% of my final grade. |
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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 suppose I got what I paid for, but the Federman housing is much too small for 6 people. If I were to do the program over again, I would live in a single room in Talia. |
| * Food: |
Israeli food is amazing. Keep in mind no meal plan, so you must cook for yourself. Also, no ovens in the dorms; just toaster ovens + stoves. |
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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? |
N/A; never had a health concern. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe. I felt more comfortable in Haifa than at my home university. There are security guards 24/7 and everyone really looks out for the students. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I met amazing people. |
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 definitely spent more money this semester than I was planning on. In general, Israel is a pretty expensive country. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $35/week.... give or take. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend money on coffee in the cafes! make your own. |
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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 222; college level |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | That the University was 30 mins away from the city... sometimes I would just stay in my dorm because it took a while to get anywhere on the buses. |
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.' |
