Eye-opening and extremely humbling. Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., University of the Pacific) - abroad from 08/25/2012 to 12/15/2012 with
USAC India: Bengaluru – Culture, Society, and Global Perspectives
I learned how extremely blessed I am and how much I have to be grateful for. I saw and experienced poverty like I have never witnessed before. This was incredibly worthwhile and such an amazing experience.
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. |
Information wise there was not much depth, however some of the classes assigned far too much work, most of it busy work with not enough time to appropriately and sufficiently complete them. Expectations and evaluations of work were never given and as such students were completely ignorant of status and grades throughout the semester, providing no way to judge areas of improvement. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program advisor was hands on, and provided great field trips. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Minor problems, main concern was in efficiency of fixing those problems. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Each week probably about $20 USD. For vacations probably about $100 minimum a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to eat the local food, even if you miss home food it is generally more expensive, so try to eat the host food. |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None for this country |
| 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? | Definitely talk to the locals in the language. For example, talk to the auto drivers and order your food in the local language. |
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? | I feel I was adequately prepared for this program, everything I encountered I take as a learning experience and something you cannot prepare for. |
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. |
