Eat, Pray, Love, My Time at Haifa University Past Review
By Joseph Parrish (Hawaii Pacific University) - abroad from 02/18/2019 to 05/31/2019 with
University of Haifa: Study Abroad at Haifa International School
My interactions with my professors, as well as my fellow international students, solidified my time here in Israel as one of the most meaningful periods of my life. I will surely benefit in the years to come from the knowledge I gained, and the friendships I made here at Haifa University.
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. |
Great interactions with professors well versed in the subject matter of the class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The international school staff was incredibly helpful in assisting all my academic needs as well as my cultural integration into Israeli society. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There are four walls and a roof. |
| * 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? |
Never had to use the healthcare facilities but the school's extensive health care program provides coverage for any foreseeable health emergencies. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The connectivity between my degree program at home college and what I have learned here in Israel made Haifa University the Ideal choice for my semester abroad. Without a doubt, I would do it over again. |
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? | I spent roughly 120 per weak on food, travel, and liesure |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use the knowledge of your fellow international students to find the best prices on food, entertainment, etc. |
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 |
My foreign language instruct is one of the best professors I have ever had, however, in terms of encouragement of the use of the language, there was no external motivation outside the classroom. The initiative to practice the language outside the class has to be taken by the student. |
| 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 |
| 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? | Use the resource of your fellow international students and the availability of your instructors to get better. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | 10+ |
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? | The dorms contract between the international student body and the Dorm Administration needs to be improved. |
