A fun summer spent in Kalmar learning about outdoor recreation Past Review
By A student (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 07/06/2016 to 08/12/2016 with
USAC Sweden: Växjö/Kalmar - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
I learned about how important it is to educate kids in the classroom and at home about how to take care of the outdoor environment while practicing outdoor recreation. While I will probably never be an outdoor educator, I believe this program was a great way to learn about another culture
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. |
I took the outdoor education class in Kalmar. I had done all of the activities that we learned about and did during class, so for me this class was more of a culture class and learning about how different countries view and practice outdoor education. This class was not very challenging and lacked in content, but the overall experience was fun. |
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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: |
The food was expensive in the town, and there were few to none traditional Swedish restaurants. |
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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: |
Kalmar was very safe, even at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would choose a course more academically challenging. |
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? | About $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | To save money, try limiting yourself to going out to eat at a restaurant one to two times a week. The restaurants are very expensive -- about 15 to 20 dollars a meal. |
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? | High school |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
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? | The course is more for people who have never experienced outdoor recreation before, not for people wanting to improve their safety skills or learn how to teach others about outdoor recreation. |
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. |
