Unforgettable, do not pass this up. Past Review
By Logan Kirk (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 02/01/2017 to 06/21/2017 with
University of Tartu: Tartu - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
The thing I value most that I gained is friendships. I met many international students and a few locals and will have people to see and stay with all around Europe when I do my future travels. I also gained a grander perspective on the world and the knowledge from my courses. I learned two new languages (Italian and Russian) and will do my best to continue practicing and learning them in the future.
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? |
I did not have any health issues and cannot speak from first-hand experience. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I did not think there would be much to do in Estonia, nor that I would meet so many international students, but the friends I made and the times we had were more than worth it. I only wish the weather was warmer. |
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 about $100 a week on average, but some weeks may have been over that while others were under. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eastern Europe is much cheaper than western. Don't buy scores of food, save money for travel. |
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 |
Most of the people I encountered spoke English, knowledge of Estonian is not required, except for some of the older population. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | I had not taken any foreign language courses since my sophomore year in high school, but I took an online course for Estonian the semester before I left, though I didn't retain much and didn't use it other than the basics. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
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? |
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 can not think of anything in particular, I am satisfied with what I knew prior too departure and did not have significant problems. |
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. |
