381 reviews
4.10 / 5 based on 381 reviews

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Elisabeth B
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Other
Work opportunities:
It was not legal for me to work
Personal spending habits
As I still live with my familie I do not have to pay for food or housing. I spent mor for telephone or travel as it is more expensive to call from the US to Austria than to talk on the phone within Austria. Moreover I travelled a lot.
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Food, Telephone, Housing, Travel, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Life in the US is much more expensive than I thougt (books, fruits, vegetables, healthy food). Costs can be saved throug booking for example weekend-trips through the internet. www.hotwire.com
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Elisabeth B
Academic
Course recommendations
The language courses were very communicative, because only a maximum of 20 students was allowed to take one course. So I think I learned a lot and had much fun, although we had a lot of work to do (presentations, homework, midterm and final exams...).
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course

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Elisabeth B
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish I knew that Champaign is a very little village which main attraction is the university. There is not a lot to do in Champaign.
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In my opinion:
Stay home.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The university is very nice, teachers and tutors are friendly but Champaign is very boring.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
There are a lot of opportunities to travel. Best offers can be found under www.hotwire.com, www.priceline.com and www.travelocity.com. Chicago is a wonderful city where you can do a lot of shopping and visit beautiful sights.
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Elisabeth B
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I think my ability to speak English did improve a little but my ability to understand English improved a lot.
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Elisabeth B
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice
If returning, I would choose: On campus
Why?
Because I did not have much contact with american students or other exchange students.
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Personal comments
I lived together with two collegues from Austria and unfortunately didn't have much contact with other students. Our appartment was quiet nice and not too expensive.
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Elisabeth B
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Activities, Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
In my opinion Clubs in Champaign can't be compared with Clubs or cafes in Vienna. I did not like them a lot so can not recommend a favorite night spot or cafe.
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