Traveling is a great thing Past Review
By A student (COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/15/2012 to 05/19/2012 with
Vesalius College: Brussels - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Seeing new places, making the best of situations, more about Belgium. Overall, definitely worth while.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Vesalius College |
| 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. |
Not nearly as difficult/time consuming as Trinity. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program director was new and so she knew as little as we did about Belgium. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was obvious they struggled to get my apartment last since all the other apartments lived walking distance (didnt have to pay extra for traveling expenses) and were much bigger and had better resources (microwave, wi-fi,washer and dryer) |
| * Food: |
Frites, Waffles, Chocolate, Mussels...all so good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Vesalius was way too international and I had to really try to get to know any locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Just be careful going out around downtown at night by yourself. Like any other city, you just have to be smart but overall it is a pretty safe city. |
| 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) |
It was relatively easier but of course being Europe it was still pricey at times. |
| * 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? | I have no idea. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | bring more money than you think you will need. |
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 |
My french teacher was horrible and my program directors knew no french so I never had to use it. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | French for 4 years in high school |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Live with a host family and force yourself to use it as much as possible. |
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? | That the language would be as non emphasized as it was, that the program director was completely new to the area. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
