The best semester of college! Past Review
By A student (Valparaiso University) - abroad from 01/12/2012 to 05/17/2012 with
Valparaiso University: Cambridge - Valparaiso University Study Center
I gained a lot of insight into local cultures and the ability to travel by myself. It was great to have a semester with completely different expectations and goals; it was similar to getting a break from normal life. Was it worthwhile? Absolutely.
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. |
Although interaction with other students was extremely limited, the British professors were great. |
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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? |
Integration is not set up particularly well by the program, but possible with not too much individual effort |
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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? |
No
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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) |
Cambridge is an expensive area, but if you cook for yourself and don't go out too often or travel too extensively it is possible to stay within a reasonable budget. |
| * 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? | $60-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Form a dinner group to share cooking duties with and really explore options when traveling. |
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? | 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? | I wish I had known how little interaction I would have with local students, and therefore I would choose the Anglia Ruskin program if I was to go again. |
