Born to Be a Simmie Past Review
By Allison S (University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh) - abroad from 01/13/2014 to 05/28/2014 with
UW-Platteville Education Abroad at St Mary's University (SMU)
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad in England changed my life. I am aware of how dramatic and cliche that sounds, but it is the honest truth. Sparing the long, heartfelt details, I could not have asked for a better program than the one I was welcomed into at St. Mary's University. I have attended three universities so far in my educational career, and St. Mary's is the one that still feels closest to being my home. The people, the area, and the activities could not have been warmer and more welcoming. I not only learned how to become a more independent woman, but I gained a new appreciation for the world, new cultures, and travelling. I knew I had the power within me to get out there to see and experience new things, but without this program, I never would have been able to live out my dreams. I am truly grateful each and every day that I was fortunate enough to embark on such an adventure.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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? |
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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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When you travel, buy bread and things you can pack for a lunch or breakfast. Money goes fast if you have to eat out every meal. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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 wish I had known how hard it would be to leave my friends and the country behind. There were days when I just relaxed and caught up on needed sleep, but honestly, I would give anything to have had more time for enjoying the program. I will never get what I had in those few months back in terms of having all of my friends there together again in the same place. Knowing this now, I would have prioritized my time better in the beginning. |
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