Learning to live and travel in the world Past Review
By A student (Valparaiso University) - abroad from 01/11/2012 to 05/17/2012 with
Valparaiso University: Cambridge - Valparaiso University Study Center
Very 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. |
The British professors use a grade scale that is quite different from the US. It makes it hard because you have to excel at only two things all semester in order to get an A. If you have an A- and a B+ at the end on your two parts, you get the lower grade. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our Director was more than adequate at getting everything done. There were some hiccups in planning and she was a little on the strict side, but overall she was fine. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The house is old and needs some cosmetics updates. Adequate for living, but needs improvement. |
| * Food: |
Cook your own meals. British food and meat is bland. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not greatly integrated, but not because I did not try. The Brits can be a bit introverted. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There is a health clinic two minutes away. No problems. |
| * Safety: |
The neighborhood could be sketchy at times. A few students had things stolen at the house and while traveling. |
| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 75-100 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You can save on food and walking everywhere. Do not overspend on alcohol. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | How much to pack, not to go to Amsterdam. |
