An Amazing Way to Experience Two Historic Cities Past Review
By Margaret S (Early Childhood Education, University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 05/12/2014 to 05/26/2014 with
University of Northern Iowa: Traveling - UNI Capstone in London and Paris
I gained a greater understanding of our world's history and culture by going to London and Paris. I definitely think it was worthwhile.
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? |
The hostels could have been nicer but overall they were fine. You don't spend too much time in the hostels anyway. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing! Some of the more traditional meals are a little frightening to try but I recommend at least taking one bite! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
In England I felt as if I could fit in if I only had the accent. However, in France I felt out of place because of the language but it was still easy to pick up on social cues. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The healthcare system such as doctors and so were not needed by me on this trip so I cannot review them. However, a couple of my friends either were sick or had an ankle injury and most pharmacies were not open past 4pm. It was difficult to get them basic things such as cough drops and ankle wraps. |
| * Safety: |
I felt amazingly safe in all of the British cities that we visited. In Paris I felt safe as long as we were in the more touristy areas. Once we got the outer sections, for example where our hostel was, I felt as if I had to watch my back constantly. I do recommend taking a cross body purse with a zipper and keeping your hand on it at all times in both cities though. |
| 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 interested in doing more abroad than some people may have been so I spent more on the trip. It is all about what you decide to do. If I had wished I probably could have lived on $50 a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $500 |
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 program was encouraged to use French while in France but there was no teaching of the language. This caused many of us to feel lost. |
| 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? | 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? | Look up basic words which may need to be used in France. Also, while the British do speak the English language they have some terms which differ from our own. Look up these terms just so you are familiar. |
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? | 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? | I wish I knew that we would have so much free time because I would have tried to do even more. |
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.' |
