Wonderful people, not so great classes Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I expected the academic aspects of this program to be very challenging, because that was the impression I got from attending the information sessions. However, I found the classes to be really easy. It was nice not to have a huge workload, because it allowed me to focus on enjoying my time abroad. However, I felt that readings and class discussions were not as stimulating as classes of the same level on campus usually are. This was very disappointing to me.

On-site administration of your program

Bettina and Diego are great, but there were lots of logistical problems. It was difficult to schedule class times with our professors at the commission. Also, since the commission is in the process of moving we sometimes had to evacuate our classroom in the middle of class and move to a tiny office. We also didn't have a place at the commission that we could use to study, which would have been helpful. Since the commission runs so many other programs it sometimes felt like we were an afterthought.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was great. They were very kind and caring and did their best to make us feel at home. There wasn't always breakfast food in the house. Also there was no heat in our bedroom, which was very uncomfortable during the winter months.

The food was always delicious and we always had plenty to eat for lunch and dinner. At the beginning of the program there was no breakfast food in the house, because my host family doesn't eat breakfast. After talking to our host mom she bought yogurt and cereal for us, but we would often run out. Also we didn't eat as many fruit and vegetables as I would have liked.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sick twice while abroad and the insurance provided by William and Mary was not accepted by the doctor or pharmacy here, so I had to pay out of pocket.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

If I had only done the program sponsored activities I could have spent less money, but in order to socialize and take advantage of my time abroad to travel and participate in local cultural activities I had to spend more money.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The host family.

• The classes and logistical aspects of the program.