Belgium: Everyday we're Brusselin' Past Review
By Taylour C (Sociology, Vanderbilt University) for
Vesalius College: Brussels - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
YES!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Grading was different than I was used to, but it was fair. The one thing that I could not get used to was the long class times. I found it was hard to concentrate. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
One of the best experiences I have ever had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing. I have a gluten allergy and they were so accommodating for it. We had our rooms cleaned once a week, and we were always included in family activities. The neighborhood we lived in was great, there was shopping and grocery stores, a pharmacy and a bank. We were close to school. My roommates and I always walked instead of taking the metro. We were also retty close to downtown that it was easy for us to go out and meet up with other friends. We were treated as family. |
| * Food: |
I have a gluten allergy and I was completely fine finding food for myself. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
AMAZING! My roommate and I always went out and explored when we had time. We came across the most random by memorable events and sights. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe, but I would still always have a travel buddy! |
| 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? | $40-100 depending if I was traveling and how much I was using my phone. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I found that I was able to manage my money pretty well. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people spoke english. |
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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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? | Take a leap of faith, and do it! |
