My Report
Last Mo dified: 0 8 /0 2/20 13
Filter By: Repo rt Subgro up
1.
Name (o ptio nal)
T e xt Re spo nse
Sean Stiefel
Michael Finfer
Shara Darr
Lindsay
Hsiao -Fan Hsueh
Alvin
Chelsea Weatherby
Dustin Byer
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
8
2.
E-mail Address (o ptio nal)
T e xt Re spo nse
stiefel@usc.edu
darr@usc.edu
lksugimo @usc.edu
veda.hsueh@gmail.co m
alvinliu@usc.edu
dustin.byer@gmail.co m
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
6
3.
Lo catio n
#
Answe r
39
Bar
Re spo nse
%
Aalto University Scho o l o f Eco no mics
0
0%
4
Australian Natio nal University
0
0%
6
Chinese University o f Ho ng Ko ng
0
0%
5
Co penhagen Business Scho o l
0
0%
3
Co rvinus University o f Budapest
0
0%
37
Chulalo ngko rn University
0
0%
2
ESADE Business Scho o l
0
0%
40
ESCEM
0
0%
38
ESCP-EAP
0
0%
65
Fudan University
0
0%
13
HEC Scho o l o f Management
0
0%
7
Ho ng Ko ng UNiversity o f Science and Techno lo gy
0
0%
58
ICHEC Brussels
0
0%
63
IE Scho o l o f Business
0
0%
15
Ko rea University Business Scho o l
0
0%
16
Natio nal University o f Singapo re
0
0%
18
Natio nal Taiwan University
0
0%
27
Peking University
0
0%
14
Ro tterdam Scho o l o f Management
0
0%
61
Seo ul Natio nal University
0
0%
19
Singapo re Management University
0
0%
Thammasat University
0
0%
57
Universidade de No va de Lisbo n
0
0%
64
Universiidad de Carlo s Madrid III
0
0%
11
Universita Co mmerciale Luigi Bo cco ni
0
0%
62
University o f Ho ng Ko ng
0
0%
1
9
University o f Manchester, Manchester Business Scho o l
0
0%
10
University o f Melbo urne
0
0%
12
University o f Navarra
0
0%
17
University o f St. Gallen
11
10 0 %
59
Vienna University o f Eco no mics and Business
0
0%
8
WHU Otto Beisheim Scho o l o f Management
0
0%
To tal
11
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
17
Max Value
17
Mean
17.0 0
Variance
0 .0 0
Standard Deviatio n
0 .0 0
To tal Respo nses
11
4.
What is yo ur academic status this semester?
#
Answe r
Bar
Re spo nse
%
1
So pho mo re
0
0%
2
Junio r
5
45%
3
Senio r
6
55%
To tal
11
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
2
Max Value
3
Mean
2.55
Variance
0 .27
Standard Deviatio n
0 .52
To tal Respo nses
11
5.
What is yo ur expected date o f graduatio n fro m USC (Semester and year, eg
Fall 20 0 9 )?
T e xt Re spo nse
spring 20 10
Spring 20 10
Spring 20 10
SPring 20 10
Spring 20 11
Fall 20 0 9
Spring 20 10
Fall 20 11
Spring 20 12
Fall 20 11
May 20 13
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
11
6.
What is yo ur majo r?
T e xt Re spo nse
business admin
Business Cinematic Arts
Business Administratio n
BUAD
Business Administratio n
Business Administratio n
Business Administratio n
BUAD
Business Administratio n
Business and acco unting
Business Administratio n
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
11
7.
What is yo ur co ncentratio n (Business majo rs o nly)?
T e xt Re spo nse
co rpo rate finance
Glo bal Business
No ne
Internatio nal Business
Internatio nal Business
Internatio nal Business
Financial Analysis and Valuatio n
Individualized
FInance
Finance
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
10
8.
Please indicate the term in which yo u were abro ad (semester and year, eg
Fall 20 0 9 ).
T e xt Re spo nse
spring 20 0 9
Spring 20 0 9
Spring 20 0 9
Fall 20 0 9
Fall 20 0 9
Fall 20 0 9
Spring 20 0 9
Fall 20 10
Spring 20 11
Spring 20 11
Fall 20 11
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
11
9.
I. GENERAL PROGRAM EVALUATION Please rate the fo llo wing items:
#
Que st io n
1
1. Yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the
pro gram.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
1
0
6
4
11
4.18
St at ist ic
1. Yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he pro gram .
Min Value
2
Max Value
5
Mean
4.18
Variance
0 .76
Standard Deviatio n
0 .8 7
To tal Respo nses
11
10.
No t at all
so
So m e what
so
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
so
Ve ry m uch
so
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
2. To what extent did the pro gram meet yo ur expectatio ns?
1
0
1
6
3
11
3.9 1
3. To what extent was yo ur participatio n in the pro gram a valuable
learning experience?
0
1
0
5
5
11
4.27
#
Que st io n
1
2
2. T o what e xt e nt did t he pro gram m e e t yo ur
e xpe ct at io ns?
3. T o what e xt e nt was yo ur part icipat io n in t he pro gram a valuable le arning
e xpe rie nce ?
Min Value
1
2
Max Value
5
5
St at ist ic
Mean
3.9 1
4.27
Variance
1.29
0 .8 2
Standard
Deviatio n
1.14
0 .9 0
11
11
To tal
Respo nses
11.
#
Que st io n
1
4. To what extent wo uld yo u reco mmend
this pro gram to o ther USC students?
St at ist ic
Wo uld no t
re co m m e nd at
all
May re co m m e nd
wit h re se rvat io ns
Ne ut ral
Wo uld sure ly
re co m m e nd
Wo uld
re co m m e nd
m o st st ro ngly
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
1
1
0
3
6
11
4.0 9
4 . T o what e xt e nt wo uld yo u re co m m e nd t his pro gram t o o t he r USC st ude nt s?
Min Value
1
Max Value
5
Mean
4.0 9
Variance
1.8 9
Standard Deviatio n
1.38
To tal Respo nses
11
12.
II. ACADEMIC PROGRAM
No t at
all so
So m e what
so
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
so
Ve ry
m uch so
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
5. To what extent were yo ur co urses intellectually challenging?
0
1
0
6
4
11
4.18
6 . Ho w co mparable was the quality o f instructio n and academic demand o f
classes to that o f USC?
0
3
0
1
7
11
4.0 9
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
5 . T o what e xt e nt we re yo ur co urse s int e lle ct ually
challe nging?
6 . Ho w co m parable was t he qualit y o f inst ruct io n and acade m ic de m and o f
classe s t o t hat o f USC?
Min Value
2
2
Max Value
5
5
Mean
4.18
4.0 9
Variance
0 .76
1.8 9
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .8 7
1.38
11
11
To tal
Respo nses
13.
St ro ngly
disagre e
Disagre e
Ne ut ral
Agre e
St ro ngly
Agre e
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
7. The grading system used in the co urses was
explained.
2
3
2
4
0
11
2.73
8 . I was able to register fo r all the classes that I wanted.
3
5
0
2
1
11
2.36
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
7 . T he grading syst e m use d in t he co urse s was e xplaine d.
8. I was able t o re gist e r f o r all t he classe s t hat I want e d.
Min Value
1
1
Max Value
4
5
Mean
2.73
2.36
Variance
1.42
1.8 5
Standard Deviatio n
1.19
1.36
11
11
To tal Respo nses
14.
No t at all
so
So m e what
so
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
so
Ve ry m uch
so
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
9 . To what extent were yo u prepared fo r the co ursewo rk?
0
4
1
6
0
11
3.18
2
10 . To what extent do yo u feel yo u were immersed in the culture o f the
ho st co untry?
2
1
2
3
3
11
3.36
3
11. To what extent did yo u gain a better appreciatio n o f the ho st
culture's perspectives?
0
1
2
4
4
11
4.0 0
#
Que st io n
1
St at ist ic
9 . T o what e xt e nt we re yo u
pre pare d f o r t he co urse wo rk?
10 . T o what e xt e nt do yo u f e e l yo u we re
im m e rse d in t he cult ure o f t he ho st co unt ry?
11. T o what e xt e nt did yo u gain a be t t e r
appre ciat io n o f t he ho st cult ure 's pe rspe ct ive s?
Min Value
2
1
2
Max Value
4
5
5
Mean
3.18
3.36
4.0 0
Variance
0 .9 6
2.25
1.0 0
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .9 8
1.50
1.0 0
11
11
11
To tal
Respo nses
15.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
Sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
12. Please rate yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the co ntent o f
the co urses yo u to o k.
0
0
3
8
0
11
3.73
13. Please rate yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the quality o f
instructio n.
0
0
2
7
2
11
4.0 0
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
12. Ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he co nt e nt o f t he
co urse s yo u t o o k.
13. Ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he qualit y o f
inst ruct io n.
Min Value
3
3
Max Value
4
5
Mean
3.73
4.0 0
Variance
0 .22
0 .40
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .47
0 .6 3
11
11
To tal
Respo nses
16.
#
Que st io n
1
14. Please rate the o verall level o f faculty interest in
students.
Ve ry
lo w
So m e what
lo w
Ave rage
Highe r t han
ave rage
Ve ry
high
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
0
6
4
1
11
3.55
St at ist ic
14 . Ple ase rat e t he o ve rall le ve l o f f acult y int e re st in st ude nt s.
Min Value
3
Max Value
5
Mean
3.55
Variance
0 .47
Standard Deviatio n
0 .6 9
To tal Respo nses
11
17.
#
Que st io n
1
15. Please rate yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the
academic pro gram.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
1
2
7
1
11
3.73
St at ist ic
15 . Ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he acade m ic pro gram .
Min Value
2
Max Value
5
Mean
3.73
Variance
0 .6 2
Standard Deviatio n
0 .79
To tal Respo nses
11
18.
III. LANGUAGE PREPARATIONIf yo u did no t take a fo reign language
class this semester, please cho o se "No t applicable" fo r each questio n.
No t
applicable
Po o r
Ne e ds
im pro ve m e nt
Fair
Go o d
Exce lle nt
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
16 . Ho w were yo ur language skills befo re the
pro gram?
6
3
1
1
0
0
11
1.73
2
17. Ho w were yo ur language skills after the pro gram?
6
2
2
0
1
0
11
1.9 1
3
18 . Yo ur living situatio n aided yo ur language
acquisitio n.
6
4
1
0
0
0
11
1.55
#
Que st io n
1
St at ist ic
16 . Ho w we re yo ur language skills be f o re
t he pro gram ?
17 . Ho w we re yo ur language skills af t e r
t he pro gram ?
18. Yo ur living sit uat io n aide d yo ur language
acquisit io n.
Min Value
Max Value
1
1
1
4
5
3
Mean
1.73
1.9 1
1.55
Variance
1.0 2
1.6 9
0 .47
Standard
Deviatio n
1.0 1
1.30
0 .6 9
11
11
11
To tal
Respo nses
19.
#
Que st io n
1
19 . If yo u studied a fo reign language o n the pro gram, please rate yo ur
o verall level o f satisfactio n with the language educatio n co mpo nent o f
the pro gram.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
3
1
4
2
1
11
2.73
St at ist ic
19 . If yo u st udie d a f o re ign language o n t he pro gram , ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall le ve l o f sat isf act io n wit h t he language e ducat io n
co m po ne nt o f t he pro gram .
Min Value
1
Max Value
5
Mean
2.73
Variance
1.8 2
Standard
Deviatio n
1.35
To tal
Respo nses
11
20.
IV. SUPPORT SERVICESPlease rate yo ur level o f satisfactio n with the
fo llo wing catego ries:
#
Que st io n
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
1
20 . On-site academic advising
2
0
7
2
0
11
2.8 2
2
21. On-site o rientatio n
1
0
2
5
3
11
3.8 2
3
22. On-site academic facilities (e.g. classro o ms, libraries,
co mputer labs), excluding ho using.
1
0
1
6
3
11
3.9 1
4
23. Co mmunicatio n with the USC Marshall o ffice in Lo s Angeles
0
0
1
8
2
11
4.0 9
5
24. Overall impressio n o f o n-site suppo rt services
1
0
2
7
1
11
3.6 4
St at ist ic
20 . On-sit e
acade m ic
advising
Min Value
1
Max Value
4
Mean
2.8 2
Variance
0 .9 6
Standard
Deviatio n
To tal
Respo nses
22. On-sit e acade m ic f acilit ie s (e .g.
classro o m s, librarie s, co m put e r labs),
e xcluding ho using.
23. Co m m unicat io n wit h t he
USC Marshall o f f ice in Lo s
Ange le s
24 . Ove rall im pre ssio n
o f o n-sit e suppo rt
se rvice s
1
1
3
1
5
5
5
5
3.8 2
3.9 1
4.0 9
3.6 4
1.36
1.29
0 .29
1.0 5
0 .9 8
1.17
1.14
0 .54
1.0 3
11
11
11
11
11
21. On-sit e
o rie nt at io n
21.
V. HOUSINGPlease rate yo ur level o f satisfactio n with the fo llo wing
catego ries:
#
Que st io n
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
1
25. Ho using co o rdinatio n
0
4
0
4
3
11
3.55
2
26 . Lo catio n o f student ho using
1
2
1
4
3
11
3.55
3
27. Quality o f ho using
arrangements
0
3
2
3
3
11
3.55
St at ist ic
25 . Ho using co o rdinat io n
26 . Lo cat io n o f st ude nt ho using
27 . Qualit y o f ho using arrange m e nt s
Min Value
2
1
2
Max Value
5
5
5
Mean
3.55
3.55
3.55
Variance
1.6 7
1.8 7
1.47
Standard Deviatio n
1.29
1.37
1.21
11
11
11
To tal Respo nses
22.
VI. OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS 31. Why did yo u cho o se this pro gram?
T e xt Re spo nse
I wanted a german speaking co untry that wo uld be easy to travel fro m. I needed to be bac ho me befo re June 1 as well.
I had really wanted to visit Switzerland; it was so mewhere I'd never been, and I am an avid skier. I was also attracted by the lo catio n, right in the center o f Euro pe with lo ts o f
co o l places a relatively sho rt distance away.
I had studied German fo r fo ur semesters at USC previo usly to applying fo r the pro gram and I saw co ming to St. Gallen as a perfect way to be immersed in Swiss culture
and language.
Wanted to study in Euro pe
I do n't have a go o d answer fo r this and I do n't really remember except thinking that it wo uld be such a drastic cultural and enviro nmental change fro m L.A.. Also , the
business scho o l is reputable and kno wn fo r its Finance Department. So even tho ugh I wasn't eligible to take any Finance co urses, I wo uld at least be in the po sitio n to take
advantage o f its reso urces and be surro unded by like-minded students o utside o f the classro o m.
University o f St. Gallen has o ne o f the best business scho o ls in the wo rld.
Finance o riented pro gram.
I wanted to impro ve my German.
It was so meplace I had never been and a great lo catio n to travel fro m. I wanted to explo re mo re o f Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and I didn't want a huge city. Great
scho o l as well.
I cho se Marshall IEP because I felt studying abro ad in a fo reign co untry wo uld bro aden my ho rizo n and give me an o ppo rtunity to learn the culture and custo ms o f ano ther
co untry.
I knew that I wanted to study in ano ther co untry. I had spent a summer in Beijing and felt that I wanted to co mpliment my Asian experience with a Euro pean o ne. So after
limiting my cho ices to Euro pe, I decided to screen fo r my academic interests. St. Gallen was my first cho ice due to the strength o f its finance pro gram. I also appreciated the
centrality o f Switzerland as a hub fo r travelling o n weekends. I did no t end up travelling much o n weekends due to the 2 week Fall break, which was a huge surprise. It was a
nice way to break up the semester with so me Euro pean backpacking adventures. This aspect sho uld be marketed better.
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
11
23.
32. Please co mpare these aspects o f yo ur pro gram with study at USC.
#
Que st io n
Equivale nt
USC/Abro ad Be t t e r
USC/in L.A. Be t t e r
T o t al Re spo nse s
1
2
1) Quality o f instructio n
5
3
3
11
1.8 2
2) Co ntent o f co urses
3
4
4
11
2.0 9
3
3) Intellectual challenge o f co urses
3
7
1
11
1.8 2
4
4) Faculty interest in/suppo rt o f students
1
1
9
11
2.73
5
5) Individual assistance pro vided
1
1
9
11
2.73
St at ist ic
1) Qualit y o f
inst ruct io n
2) Co nt e nt o f
co urse s
Min Value
1
1
Max Value
3
3
Mean
1.8 2
2.0 9
Variance
0 .76
0 .6 9
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .8 7
0 .8 3
11
11
To tal
Respo nses
3) Int e lle ct ual challe nge o f
co urse s
Me an
4 ) Facult y int e re st in/suppo rt o f
st ude nt s
5 ) Individual assist ance
pro vide d
1
1
1
3
3
3
1.8 2
2.73
2.73
0 .36
0 .42
0 .42
0 .6 0
0 .6 5
0 .6 5
11
11
11
24.
33. Ho w much study time per week do yo u reco mmend in o rder to keep
up with classes?
T e xt Re spo nse
4 ho urs
Hard to describe o n a weekly basis, as mo st o f the finals are 10 0 % o f the grade, and the schedule isn't co nstant thro ugho ut the semester.
10 ho urs
5 - 7 ho urs
25
10
see 34
3
Depends o n ho w many units yo u take, I'd say 5 ho urs a week with catch-up studying befo re finals.
40 plus ( including class time)
A lo t. Many exchange students here get in tro uble because there is no assessment o r feedback. 15-20 ho urs.
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
11
25.
34. Ho w, if at all, do es the structure o f the co urses differ fro m tho se at
USC? Did yo u like o r dislike these differences?
T e xt Re spo nse
Classes meet aro und 6 times. So me classes fo r 8 ho urs at a time and 10 0 % o f the grade is the final.
So me classes were blo ck seminars, meeting o nly 4 times fo r the who le day; my schedule was o ften different week to week. It's nice getting so me classes o ut o f the way,
but yo u can't visit these classes befo re signing up fo r them.
The structure differs a lo t. Classes are no rmally o nce a week with a final exam at the end o f the semester that is 10 0 % o f the grade. Additio nally, many seminar classes are
o ffered in English as well.
Much mo re dependent o n exams. Much less ho mewo rk. Attendance usually do esn't co unt.
There's no ho mewo rk o r assignments to keep yo u o n pace with the level o f info rmatio n the pro fesso r expects yo u to kno w. It's liberating but also dangero us if yo u do n't
stay fo cused. There also are't any TA o r discussio n sectio ns fo r several o f the co urses. I think that I'm neutral. Bo th structures have strenghts and weaknesses. I feel like
the amo unt o f independence and respo nsibility HSG students are expected to have is go o d. It wo uld definitely benefit USC students in the lo ng run if they were held to
similar standards.
the co urse structure is quite different fro m the o ne at USC. First o f all, many co urses o nly meet 6 -10 times per semester, and each class takes 2-4 ho urs in average.
Seco ndly, the pro fesso rs at St. Gallen usually do n't care abo ut students' attendance. Mo reo ver, they o nly give final exams in the end o f semester, and so me o f them
determined 10 0 % o f the grade o f the co urse. I perso nally like USC's structure better because I do n't get to o stressful in the end o f the semester.
Wo rk lo ad no t spread o ut. So me weeks might pull 3-4 all nighters, while o ther weeks no wo rk at all. Pro bably go o d fo r study abro ad since it leaves ro o m to travel. But be
prepared to wo rk hard when the wo rk lo ad piles up.
There is no ho mewo r o r midterms. This gives yo u a lo t o f freedo m during the semester but can be o verwhelming at the end when final exams appro ach.
Only o ne presentatio n and a final co unt to wards yo ur grade. Stay o n to p o f yo urself and yo u are fine, altho ugh I do prefer the structure at SC a little better.
The structure o f the class made it easy fo r students to slack o ff in the beginning. I prefer the USC mo del mo re.
There is a large difference between the Bachelo rs and the Masters classes in terms o f rigo r. The added caveat is that the Masters classes pro vide much mo re interesting
to pics and the o ppo rtunity to learn much mo re.
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26.
35. Are there co urses o r pro fesso rs that yo u wo uld particular
reco mmend? Please explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
Co rruble
Co rpo rate Restructuring was an interesting class; Co rpo rate Finance and Go vernance was a seminar taught by Pro fesso r Yermack, who is o ne o f the mo st engaging and
interesting business pro fesso rs I've had.
Do ing Business in China II o r Do ing Business in Latin America because we had fo reign guest pro fesso rs teach at the university o f two o r three full days and as a student I
learned a lo t mo re abo ut ho w pro cesses wo rk in these co untries.
N/A
YES. Internatio nal Business Regulatio n and Firm Strategy by Pro fesso r Simo n J. Evenett. I fo und it extremely interesting and Pro fesso r Evenett was very kno wledgeable,
passio nate, and effective in his teachings. It was an 8 a.m. but it was definitely interesting eno ugh that yo u wanted to go to hear his o pinio n. He also had tuto rials where yo u
go t to meet with him 3 o n 1 (twice during the semester) and tell him yo ur tho ughts abo ut the class. Or the wo rld. Essentially anything. As far as class selectio n, I wo uld
definitely go to the co urse website and read up o n the classes yo u want to take and are actually interested in. Take advantage o f the first week and a half (o r so ) o f class
auditing, where yo u can go to as many classes as yo u want to try them o ut and see which o nes are mo st appealing. Finally, read up o n the pro fesso rs. Mo st o f them are
either chairs o f departments o r visiting pro fesso rs.
I really like the co urse: Internatio nal Business Regulatio ns and Strategy. It's a master degree co urse. The pro fesso r is very kno wledgeable and pro fessio nal. The co urse is
challenging as well.
Co rpo rate Restructuring. Almo st a MUST TAKE fo r any guest student at HSG and they kno w it. Therefo re it is extremely difficult to get into . Co urse level is manageable while
the co ntent is interesting. There is a different guest speaker every week and they have a co mpany wo rksho p during the semester. Pro fesso r do esn't really like guest
students tho ugh...
Management in the Digital Eco no my
Co rpo rate Restructuring is a must fo r exchange students.
N/A
Behavio ral Finance - di Gio rgio Theo ry o f Insurance - Wagner (He also teaches Asset and Liability Management in the Spring) Capital Markets Law
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27.
36 . Are there co urses o r pro fesso rs that yo u wo uld advise against taking?
Please explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
no
Market Micro structure seemed straightfo rward fro m the descriptio n, but is a masters-level co urse and is very high-level. I certainly was no t prepared fo r the co ntent o f the
co urse and felt like I was vastly unprepared fo r the material. I wo uld o nly take it if yo u have a very stro ng base o f financial and eco no mic kno wledge. Kno wing o nly BUAD
30 6 , etc. left me feeling lo st almo st the entire time.
My co urse "Ethics o f Financial Services" with pro fesso r Ulrich Thielemann he is simply very difficult to understand and highly o pinio nated. He also do esn't give any real
instructio n fo r his class and almo st half o f the class instead o f lectures was "self-study" time.
N/A
Kno wledge Management. It was po o rly structured and the material was hard to grasp (o r at least, the pro fesso r wasn't very effective at presenting the material to the class in
a way that was engaging). The pro fess (Dr. Andrea Back) is very passio nate abo ut the subject and I feel that a lo t o f the pro blems with her teaching style stemmed fro m the
fact that she strugled with English. But it also hindered my ability to really apply what I learned in the class to business o r any aspect o f life.
No ne
Histo ry o f Banking. Take "Histo ry o f Finance, Banking, and Mo ney" if yo u must; the latter do es no t give USC credit. This pro fesso r literally sits behind his desk, o pens up
his lapto p, and mutters to himself fo r 4-6 ho urs at a time. Take this class o nly if yo u plan o n studying everything o ut o f the bo o k.
Financial Institutio ns. The pro fesso r co uld no t teach and the exam was exceedingly difficult.
Any philo so phy classes (do no t take Experimenting with Organizatio n), no t their stro ng po int. Also be careful with the Masters classes yo u sign up fo r. They are do able, but
a lo t o f wo rk if yo u take o n to o many.
No ne
Financial Markets Do no t take any co urses that are mandato ry requirements fo r full time students. The tests are just brutal. These are the co urses in which students are
weeded o ut o f the university. So me o f these co urses fail up t o 40 % o f tho se enro lled and do no t take into acco unt exchange student status. I wo uld also advise against
taking co urses that are schedule during the same time. There is no pro hibitio n against this in St. Gallen and it makes fo r a difficult academic semester. The bidding system
that they use fo r assigning co urses has a pretty large learning curve. The end result is that yo u may be stuck with o verlapping co urses. I did no t do this, but it is pretty easy
to get in o ff o f the wait list at the end o f bidding. Please feel free to co ntact me if yo u have any questio ns during bidding. I will be happy to answer any and all.
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28.
37. Has participatio n in this pro gram influenced yo ur academic o r career
go als? Ho w?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes, classes have been great.
No t particularly, as my career go als lie in the entertainment industry and I was no t studying anything related to this.
In certain ways yes because I wo uld like to , upo n graduatio n, pursue a career in a fo reign co untry in particularly in a German speaking co untry.
N/A
Yes! It sho wed me ho w many mo re o ptio ns I have as far as subjects to study in Grad Scho o l and in my remaining semesters in Under Grad. Specifically internatio nal law
o r maybe co ntract law (since my intentio n is to go to law scho o l o nce I graduate). If anything, it's defintely fo rced me to view business in a much mo re glo bal perspective.
This can be a general as internatio nal law o r as specific as the differences between Euro pe's VATs o r the U.S. Sales Tax.
No
Reinfo rced my intent o n studying finance. The pro gram also gave me so me expo sure to master level finance co urses.
No .
No t really, altho ugh I to o k a law themed class which reaffirmed my desire to go into law.
No ne
Definitely. I think that I am much mo re likely to pursue a graduate degree in Euro pe than I o nce wo uld have been. The single mo tivating facto r in this revelatio n is co st. I had
no idea ho w much cheaper tuitio n co sts co uld be.
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29.
Please tell us abo ut yo ur experience with the fo reign language o f yo ur
ho st co untry: 38 . Besides English, what is (are) the language(s) mo st
pro minently spo ken o n the campus o f the university where yo u studied?
T e xt Re spo nse
German
German, a little French
German
German, French
German, Swiss German
Swiss German
Swiss German, German, French
German and Swiss German
Swiss German, High German, a little French
German
German, French, but mo stly German
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30.
39 . Did yo u speak the ho st language, o r receive any language training in
the ho st language prio r to , o r during yo ur semester abro ad? If yes, please
explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes, I to o k 4 years o f german
No ne
Yes, I studied German fo r fo ur semesters at USC and HSG pro vided a week o f language co urses at the beginning befo re the semester started fo r the exchange students.
No I do n't speak German but had an intensive german co urse at the beginning o f the semester fo r 2 weeks.
I did't speak any German, but I to o k a the language intensive co urse which taught me the basic greetings and numbers.
No
No pe
I had 1.5 years o f trainin
A o ne week intro to German, altho ugh everyo ne spo ke English.
No ne
No . Everyo ne speaks English. I had no pro blems.
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31.
Then rate:
#
Que st io n
Exce lle nt
Go o d
Fair
Po o r
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
1
1) Yo ur language skills befo re the pro gram:
0
1
2
8
11
3.6 4
2
2) Language training o n the pro gram:
0
2
2
7
11
3.45
3
3) Yo ur pro ficiency after the pro gram:
0
3
1
7
11
3.36
St at ist ic
1) Yo ur language skills be f o re t he pro gram :
2) Language t raining o n t he pro gram :
3) Yo ur pro f icie ncy af t e r t he pro gram :
Min Value
2
2
2
Max Value
4
4
4
Mean
3.6 4
3.45
3.36
Variance
0 .45
0 .6 7
0 .8 5
Standard Deviatio n
0 .6 7
0 .8 2
0 .9 2
11
11
11
To tal Respo nses
32.
40 . Did cultural/so cial activities spo nso red by the pro gram assist yo u in
language acquisitio n?
T e xt Re spo nse
No
No , everyo ne spo ke english.
No
no they were all with exchange students, so in english
Yes. No t so much language acquisitio n but acquisitio n o f Swiss culture.
no
Yes. The lo cal student ho st pro gram called the BuddySystem put o n events that were EXTREMELY helpful.
No .
No , everyo ne spo ke English.
N/a
Yes. Ho wever, I did no t take advantage o f these o ppo rtunities.
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33.
41. Did o utside/o ther activities help? Please explain.
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes, this is a small to wn where few speak english
Almo st everyo ne spo ke and understo o d english.
Listening to peo ple thro ugho ut my everyday life and reading o ccasio nally has helped.
no
Living and everyday tasks like getting gro ceries. Yo u pick up o n the language if yo u make an effo rt and leave yo ur flat.
no
Speak the language whenever yo u get a chance!
No .
No t really.
N/a
There were plenty o f intramural spo rts o ppo rtunities and strangers were very willing to talk to me abo ut just abo ut anything.
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34.
42. What percentage o f students o n the campus o f yo ur ho st co untry
(wo uld yo u estimate) actively speak English?
T e xt Re spo nse
50 %
10 0 %
10 0 %
in my classes, which are co nducted in english, abo ut 50 % wo uld actively speak english
10 0 % speak English (o r just abo ut). But I feel that mo st prefer to speak in German when they're aro und o ther German speakers (which makes sense co nsidering English
wo uld generally be their 2nd o r 3rd language).
appro ximately 70 %-8 0 %, o r even higher
Willing? 9 5%. Able? 9 9 %.
10 0 %
90%
10 0 %
10 0 %
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35.
43. Ho w wo uld yo u reco mmend that students prepare fo r language
differences abro ad?
T e xt Re spo nse
Take german
Learn basic phrases, altho ugh Swiss German is quite different fro m no rmal German.
Yes, I wo uld reco mmend it. Marshall sho uld maybe also require a language prerequisite fo r the business administratio n majo r as well because it allo ws us students to be
mo re capable o f interacting with fo reign students and co mpanies in the future. At the University o f St. Gallen the students are required to take two fo reign languages.
learn so me basic phrases, numbers befo re go ing abro ad
Go in with an o pen mind and DON'T ASSUME everyo ne speaks english!
Take so me basic language co urses befo re departure.
Buy a German-English dictio nary. Learn the names o f typical supermarket fo o ds in German. And take the 2 week intro ducto ry intensive German class upo n arrival.
Kno w ho w to ask useful questio ns like fo r example at a supermarket, bank, etc. Fo r the mo st part, peo ple can speak English.
It depends o n the co untry. Fo r Switzerland learn the basics and yo u are fine. If yo u have an interest in German remember that all o f the lo cals speak Swiss German to each
o ther.
It's unnecessary to learn German befo re o r during the pro gram as everyo ne were very pro ficient in English.
Learn ho w to lo o k hungry, thankful, and co nfused. Yo u'll be fine.
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36.
Click to write Co lumn 2
#
Que st io n
No t Available
Available But No t Use d
Available And Use d
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
1
Ho using co o rdinatio n
0
1
10
11
2.9 1
2
On-site perso nal advising and info rmal suppo rt
0
6
5
11
2.45
3
Orientatio n in Lo s Angeles
7
0
4
11
1.73
4
Instructio nal facilities
0
1
10
11
2.9 1
5
Medical/dental facilities
1
10
0
11
1.9 1
6
Recreatio nal facilities
1
4
6
11
2.45
7
USC Financial Aid
5
4
2
11
1.73
8
Co mmunicatio n with o ffice in Lo s Angeles
1
1
9
11
2.73
St at ist ic
Ho using
co o rdinat io n
On-sit e pe rso nal
advising and inf o rm al
suppo rt
Orie nt at io n
in Lo s
Ange le s
Inst ruct io nal
f acilit ie s
Min Value
2
2
1
2
Max Value
3
3
3
3
Re cre at io nal
f acilit ie s
USC
Financial
Aid
Co m m unicat io n
wit h o f f ice in
Lo s Ange le s
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
3
Me dical/de nt al
f acilit ie s
Mean
2.9 1
2.45
1.73
2.9 1
1.9 1
2.45
1.73
2.73
Variance
0 .0 9
0 .27
1.0 2
0 .0 9
0 .0 9
0 .47
0 .6 2
0 .42
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .30
0 .52
1.0 1
0 .30
0 .30
0 .6 9
0 .79
0 .6 5
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
To tal
Respo nses
37.
Click to write Co lumn 2
Unacce pt able
Be lo w
Ave rage
Ave rage
Abo ve
Ave rage
Acce pt able
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
Ho using co o rdinatio n
0
3
1
5
2
11
3.55
2
On-site perso nal advising and info rmal
suppo rt
0
1
7
1
2
11
3.36
3
Orientatio n in Lo s Angeles
2
1
3
3
2
11
3.18
4
Instructio nal facilities
0
1
3
6
1
11
3.6 4
5
Medical/dental facilities
0
0
8
0
3
11
3.55
6
Recreatio nal facilities
1
1
3
3
3
11
3.55
7
USC Financial Aid
0
0
5
2
4
11
3.9 1
8
Co mmunicatio n with o ffice in Lo s Angeles
0
1
1
4
5
11
4.18
#
Que st io n
1
St at ist ic
Ho using
co o rdinat io n
On-sit e pe rso nal
advising and inf o rm al
suppo rt
Orie nt at io n
in Lo s
Ange le s
Inst ruct io nal
f acilit ie s
Me dical/de nt al
f acilit ie s
Min Value
2
2
1
2
Max Value
5
5
5
5
Mean
3.55
3.36
3.18
Variance
1.27
0 .8 5
1.9 6
Standard
Deviatio n
1.13
0 .9 2
1.40
11
11
11
To tal
Respo nses
Re cre at io nal
f acilit ie s
USC
Financial
Aid
Co m m unicat io n
wit h o f f ice in
Lo s Ange le s
3
1
3
2
5
5
5
5
3.6 4
3.55
3.55
3.9 1
4.18
0 .6 5
0 .8 7
1.6 7
0 .8 9
0 .9 6
0 .8 1
0 .9 3
1.29
0 .9 4
0 .9 8
11
11
11
11
11
38.
44. Did yo u live in...
#
Answe r
Bar
Re spo nse
%
1
Do rm
0
0%
2
Apartment
11
10 0 %
3
Other
0
0%
To tal
11
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
2
Max Value
2
Mean
2.0 0
Variance
0 .0 0
Standard Deviatio n
0 .0 0
To tal Respo nses
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39.
45. If yo u used STA Travel fo r transpo rtatio n arrangements, were yo u
satisfied? Please explain.
T e xt Re spo nse
n/a
N/A
I didn't use it
N/A
N/A
n/a
What's STA?
No .
Did no t use
N/a
No
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40.
46 . Is there any aspect o f the pro gram that yo u wo uld like to see changed
o r different? (VERY IMPORTANT!)
T e xt Re spo nse
St. Gallen mo ves its campus to a city that isnt freezing co ld o r super expensive.
Mo st o f the classes fo r which we co uld get business credit were Master's Level, and a co uple o f the Master's Level classes were o ver my head in terms o f being qualified
to understand the material.
I think that the English co urses we receive business credits fo r sho uld be mo re extensive and a bit mo re favo rable fo r exchange students. USC was very strict o n what
co urses wo uld receive business credits and that made it very difficult fo r me to get all 15 USC units fro m bachelo rs co urses. I had to take three masters co urses which has
been quite challenging because almo st all o f them are finance co urses and are a study that I have no interest in. Also , I do n't feel as tho ugh I was fully prepared to take
finance co urses.
N/A
No t that I can think o f.
everything is go o d beside the ho using. I believe I get the mo st expensive student apartment in the who le St. Gallen (no jo king). Everyo ne (including exchange students and
lo cal students) was sho cked abo ut ho w much I paid fo r my ro o m, but sadly, my ro o m (o r say my apartment) is no t the the best/biggest at all. My flatmates and I all feel that
the ho using o ffice o f St. Gallen raises the price to o much. We feel that they take advantage fro m us o nly because we are o utside o f the co untry and have no idea abo ut the
student ho using market there.
There sho uld be an "Are Yo u Sure?" butto n upo n applying fo r HSG. To o many kids do n't kno w what they're getting into in St. Gallen and have a terrible time due to the
weather, iso latio n, o r rather difficult co urses. Tho se that had a bad time sho uld have let so meo ne that wo uld have had a go o d time co me in their place. ALSO, the HSG
pro gram needs mo re co urses that co unt fo r USC credit. I wo uld definitely reco mmend ano ther lo o k into the co urses o ffered at HSG. Many o f the co urses are perfectly valid
business/finance classes and sho uld pro bably co unt fo r USC credit.
The bidding system to pick co urses was extremely anno ying and I co uld no t get into all the classes I wanted and in the end, I was sho rt o f credits because I was waitlisted
fo r several co urses I needed.
I wo uld like a better understanding o f ho w class selectio n is do ne. It is this crazy po int allo catio n system that is difficult to navigate if yo u are unfamiliar with it.
I think it wo uld be better fo r students who wish to learn mo re o f the co untry's culture to live with ho st families. It was difficult fo r me to find my o wn ho using since I was no t
satisfied with the ho using the university pro vided.
I think that the fees related to go ing to scho o l in Switzerland sho uld be mo re clearly stated. There are many hidden taxes asso ciated with residing in the co untry that are no t
related to immigratio n o r ho using exactly. I spent clo se to $150 0 o n things that I was no t expecting to spend. Also , certain things are just simply mo re expensive fo r
fo reigners fro m all co untries in Switzerland. No t all o f this co mes fro m the so me o f the traces o f xeno pho bia in the area, but it definitely plays a ro le. I was paying nearly
twice as much fo r ho using in the same building in the same style apartment as so me o f my Swiss co unterparts. I was paying an even larger multiple co mpared to tho se
who did no t find ho using thro ugh the university, and rather fo und it o n their o wn. Peo ple who fo und ho using o n their o wn o ftentimes lived clo ser to the scho o l, the center o f
to wn, and the train statio n. I had a great time in my apartment because it was abo ut 9 0 % filled with exchange students, but do no t be surprised when yo u learn ho w much
yo u are go uged by the university ho using o ffice. Ano ther thing that I wo uld like to see changed is a better explanatio n o f bidding strategies fo r enro lling in co urses. I spent a
co nsiderable amo unt o f time my first week there figuring o ut the system. To a large degree I felt that this was time wasted because there is a large element o f rando mness
in the system that canno t be avo ided. All in all the po sitives definitely o ut way the negatives and St. Gallen is a wo nderful place to spend a semester.
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41.
47. Additio nal co mments o n services and co o rdinatio n.
T e xt Re spo nse
There was a learning curve being the first semester
N/A
N/A
N/A
n/a
The advising o ffice can be hard to deal with. The ho using lady can be brutal with ho using inspectio ns (so stay REALLY clean). Also ho using related, I wish they wo uldn't
make new arrivals haul all their luggage up the mo untain to get their apartment keys and then have to haul it all the way do wn to their apartment. It wo uld be so much easier
to set up a small table at the train statio n to hand o ut peo ple's keys.
The ho using o ffice lady was unfriendly and unacco mo dating, especially when my ro o mmate and I were in a situatio n in which o ur entire bathro o m needed to be
remo deled.
It was pretty easy to get set up and find o rientatio ns and classro o ms, altho ugh be prepared that Switzerland likes to reco rd things so yo u will have to run aro und to wn in the
beginning registering with the city and scho o l.
N/a
Take advantage o f the Buddy System that St. Gallen ho lds fo r exchange and internatio nal students. The St. Gallen students who run this o rganizatio n will be yo ur number
o ne so urce fo r pro blem so lving and figuring o ut the best way to have a go o d time in Switzerland.
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42.
Please tell us abo ut yo ur travel experiences. 48 . Ho w did yo u find yo ur
arrangements to the ho st institutio n?
#
Answe r
Bar
Re spo nse
%
1
Travel Agent
2
18 %
2
Online
9
8 2%
3
Other:
0
0%
To tal
11
Ot he r:
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
1
Max Value
2
Mean
1.8 2
Variance
0 .16
Standard Deviatio n
0 .40
To tal Respo nses
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43.
Wo uld yo u reco mmend this metho d?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes
Yes
yes
yes
Yes.
yes
Yes. Bo o k flights/trains in advance. But ho stels tend to be relatively flexible unless it's a special o ccasio n (like Ireland fo r St. Pattys)
Yes.
It was easy, but o thers fo und transpo rtatio n o nline successfully.
Yes
Yes.
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44.
49 . What was the average co st fo r ro und-trip tickets to yo ur ho st co untry?
T e xt Re spo nse
$6 0 0
$8 0 0
$9 0 0 -$10 0 0
aro und 120 0 USD
N/A
do n't remember
Mo re expensive than yo u'd expect.
800
$10 0 0 when I bo ught them, but that varies.
9 0 0 usd
I bo o ked early o n Swiss Air. I go t a direct flight fro m LA to Zurich fo r abo ut $8 0 0 . The train was abo ut $30 ro und trip. This was definitely o n the cheap end. One way to get to
Switzerland a bit mo re cheaply is to use a different Euro pean gateway city. A lo t o f my friends had luck getting ro und trip flights thro ugh Lisbo n and then using a regio nal
airline to get to Zurich.
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45.
50 . Ho w o ften did yo u travel and to where?
T e xt Re spo nse
Every weekend to 10 co untrie
Almo st every weekend until I returned fro m spring break, and fo r a little bit after the pro gram. Lo ndo n, Milan, Paris, Skiing in the Swiss and Austrian Alps, Munich, Prague,
Vienna, Brussels, Luxembo urg, the Canary Islands. Also many cities within Switzerland.
I traveled o nce every three weeks o n average. I traveled mo stly to the Netherlands to visit my bo yfriend, but besides that I went to Germany, Italy, and Ireland.
Almo st every weekend at the beginning o f the semester, mainly aro und Switzerland. Also to neighbo uring co untries.
1st mo nth: Munich, Germany. 2nd mo nth: Paris, France; Edinburgh, Sco tland; Lo ndo n, England, 3rd mo nth: aro und Switzerland
very o ften. I've traveled a blt within Switzerland, and also , I've been to Germany, Hungary, Italy, Austria and Czech Republic.
I traveled rarely mo st o f the semester, but I did a 3 week trek in April to Eastern Euro pe. (Germany, Po land, Czech, Slo vakia, Austria, Hungary)
I traveled to Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. Co mpared to o ther exchange students this was no t that many cities.
Nearly every weekend until we had to study fo r finals. Half the time within Switzerland (Lausanne, Luzern, Zurich, Co nstance, Interlaken) the o ther half o utside o f the co untry.
We went to Germany, Austria, Italy, Amsterdam, Belgium, France, the Czech Republic and pro bably a few o thers I fo rgo t.
At least o nce a mo nth fo r 8 -10 days to tal. I visited neighbo ring cities and co untries.
I traveled within Switzerland 25 to 30 % o f the weekends. I to o k a 19 day backpacking trip in the middle o f the semester during the Fall seminar break. I used a Eurail pass
and EasyJet. I traveled to Salzburg, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Berlin, Po tsdam, Brussels, Antwerp, Ro tterdam, and Amsterdam during the break. Within Switzerland I
traveled to Geneva, Zurich, Bern, Basel, and Zermatt. I wo uld o ften take afterno o n trips to Ko nstanz, Germany. I went to Munich fo r a weekend fo r Okto berfest.
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46.
51. Did the structure o f the ho st institutio n's co urse schedule fo ster travel
o ppo rtunity o r prevent it? Why?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes there was a 4 week spring break and mo st weeks o nly classes 2 days
Definitely fo ster; the finals are mo stly 10 0 % o f the grade, which allo ws fo r flexibility at the beginning o f the semester. The spring break is 2 weeks, and there aren't many
classes o n Fridays.
It did fo ster travel o ppo rtunities. In particularly fo r me I had three seminar co urses o ver o ur two week spring break and was unable to have a spring break and travel
because I was taking the co urses. Mo st students traveled mo re than I have.
I scheduled my classes fro m Mo n - Wed to have lo ng weekends to travel.
Fo ster it. Classes meet o nce a week o r spo radically thro ugho ut the semester, leaving lo ts o f do wn time to travel. Also there's a 2 week break in Octo ber to travel (o r take a
seminar class).
Yes. As what I have said befo re, in St. gallen they do n't meet as much as we do at USC. Therefo re, it's easier fo r us to have a lo ng weekend schedule.
Wo rk was co ncentrated in a few weeks which made it easier to travel. Also there was a lo ng "spring break" in April.
It fo stered travel o ppo rtunity because there were no respo nsibilities during the semester.
Fo ster if yo u schedule yo ur classes acco rdingly. Leave yo urself lo ng weekends and do n't schedule class during spring break and yo u're go o d!
Yes. It is po ssible to no t have any classes o n Friday and Mo nday allo wing fo r a lo nger weekend. Furthermo re, I stro ngly enco urage students to take classes during blo ck
so they'll have mo re time fo r travel.
The co urse schedule fo stered travel. The two week seminar break was a pleasant surprise.
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47.
52. Do yo u have any tips o r info rmatio n abo ut traveling while abro ad that
yo u wo uld like to share with upco ming exchange students preparing fo r their trip?
T e xt Re spo nse
If yo u are expecting a vibrant city do n't go to St. Gallen. It is a village that is freezing co ld and mo re expensive than any place I have ever been. The student bo dy is 8 0 %
male and there is no so cial life in this to wn.
Travel as much as po ssible at the beginning o f the semester befo re it gets busy with scho o lwo rk.
Search o nline fo r lo w co st carriers because they can save yo u a lo t o f mo ney. Traveling by plane can be cheaper than by train as well.
December will be to o co ld so travel mo re in earlier mo nths. Also wo rk will pile up so again travel earlier. And definitely get Gleis-7 and Halb-tax fro m the SBB trains.
Yes, expect to spend lo t o f mo ney. Especially if yo u're travelling. Plan to do yo ur o wn co o king o r learn ho w to co o k because yo u will be bro ke if yo u attempt to eat all o f
yo ur meals o ut.
Backpacking, being as easy as po ssible
DAY TRIPS! Visit places within yo ur o wn ho st co untry. If yo u make it to Switzerland, lo o k up the Verzasca Dam, and go bungee jumping!
Pack lightly.
Really enjo y the places yo u are, do n't skimp o n fo o d because I perso nally feel that is ho w yo u get to kno w a place :) and do n't skimp o n museums, yo u'll thank yo urself
later. As far a specific tips, do yo ur research, use EasyJet if yo u want cheap flights, and do n't panic if so mething go es wro ng.
Buy euro pass ahead o f time. Switzerland o ffers a half tax pass, half o ff the o riginal price o f train tickets. Make sure to bo o k transpo rtatio ns ahead o f the time fo r mo re
savings. The same applies to ho stels.
Pack less things than yo u think that yo u will need. The value o f having semi-empty and lighter bags far o utweighs and mo ney that yo u may save by bringing things alo ng.
Plus, checking that third bag can be o ffensively expensive. Befo re yo u arrive in Switzerland make sure yo u buy the Half - Tax and After - 7 train passes. This will save yo u
plenty o f mo ney.
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48.
53. EXPENSES: Ho w much spending mo ney FOR THE ENTIRE
SEMESTER wo uld yo u reco mmend that the next participants budget fo r this
pro gram?
#
Answe r
Min Value
Max Value
1
2
General (including fo o d, entertainment, lo cal transpo rtatio n)
70 0 .0 0
Ho using/rent
9 0 0 .0 0
3
General travel during semester
6 0 0 .0 0
4
Bo o ks & miscellaneo us supplies
0 .0 0
50 0 .0 0
19 3.6 4
125.0 8
5
Other expenditures (please explain)
0 .0 0
1,0 0 0 .0 0
30 9 .0 9
38 5.8 9
Ot he r e xpe ndit ure s (ple ase e xplain)
N/A
clo thing, so uvenirs
/
Permits (ho using permits), residency permit, Student ID
So cial expenditures
HSG fees (visa, ho using, etc)
Flight to Euro pe
Entry taxes, registratio n, vario us fees
Ave rage Value
St andard De viat io n
5,0 0 0 .0 0
1,9 72.73
1,373.38
3,750 .0 0
2,6 40 .9 1
731.72
3,0 0 0 .0 0
2,0 0 0 .0 0
9 24.12
49.
54. Did yo u experience any fo rm o f crime, o r were yo u in danger at any
time (such as the victim o r witness o f assault, ro bbery, etc.)? If yes, please
explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes, in Denmark I saw many fights. In Budapest there is a very blatent drug culture
No . I always felt very safe.
No
N/A
No .
no
So me bad kids hang o ut in fro nt o f the McDo nalds in marktplaz. They are pretty aggressive and a co uple kids in the pro gram go t punched. Also the Australian guy claims to
have been nearly "mugged." Overall St. Gallen is a pretty safe city tho ugh.
No .
No , Switzerland is very safe
No ne
No . Neither I, no r my friends, experienced any crime in Switzerland. One o f my friends had his bag snatched as a train was leaving the statio n in Amsterdam. Ho wever, he
was travelling alo ne and o stentatio usly.
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50.
55. Befo re departure fro m USC, o r upo n immediate arrival to yo ur ho st
co untry, do yo u think yo u were adequately warned and/o r prepared to deal with
mo st incidents mentio ned in the Health and Safety sectio n o f this evaluatio n?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes
Yes
yes
yes
Yes.
yes
Mo stly
Yes.
Yes
Yes
Yes.
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51.
56 . If yo u did no t feel adequately prepared (respo nse to questio n #55),
what do yo u think yo u needed to kno w o r hear in advance? Ho w co uld yo u have
been better info rmed and/o r prepared?
T e xt Re spo nse
n/a
N/A
I was info rmed quite well.
N/A
N/A
n/a
All sto res being clo sed o n weekends is definitely a health hazard if yo u arrive o n Friday night hungry. I wo uld reco mmend lo cal gas statio ns fo r fo o d if everything else
seems to be clo sed.
N/A
No t applicable
N/A
I felt prepared.
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52.
57. Were yo u kno wledgeable abo ut yo ur USC o verseas insurance
co verage po licy?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes
So mewhat
No t very kno wledgeble
So mewhat
So mewhat.
no
No t really.
So mewhat
Yes
Yes
Yes.
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53.
58 . Did yo u experience any negative treatment that yo u feel was related to
yo ur ethnicity, race, natio nal o rigin, gender, sexual o rientatio n, o r religio n? If yes,
please explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes, the swiss o ften wo uld treat me as a seco nd tier citizen being America. Specfically, at bars and clubs they wo uld try to o vercharge me and give me a hard time.
Yes; many Swiss peo ple generally do n't like Americans. No thing particularly bad, a co uple o f disparaging co mments, but o ther than that, just general rudeness.
No
a little bit due to ethnicity. but no big deal.
No .
no
Pro fesso rs in master level co urses will do ANYTHING (lie, cheat, steal, etc) to keep exchange students o ut o f their classes. Pro bably fo r go o d reaso n to o since tho se
classes tend to be difficult to keep up with. Also swiss girls discriminate against fo reign bo ys.
No .
No
No
It was generally mo re expensive fo r me due to my natio nal o rigin. This is true fo r almo st all fo reigners in St. Gallen. While I wo uld no t get go uged o n a daily basis, bo th
University and ho using fees were co nsiderably higher because I was a fo reigner. I did no t experience any disco mfo rt due to treatment by o ther students o r even by the
grand majo rity o f the individuals I met in the streets. It was mo re o f a systematic discriminato ry practice.
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54.
59 . What was the best part o f the pro gram?
T e xt Re spo nse
Traveling o utside Switzerland
Switzerland is an incredibly beautiful co untry, and it is easily the cleanest mo st efficient place that I've ever been. Very liveable, and amazing scenery everywhere, with lo ts
o f interesting things to see and do .
Meeting o ther internatio nal students and lo cal students and traveling when I had so me free time.
travelling and meeting friends fro m aro und the wo rld
Meeting peo ple fro m all o ver the wo rld.
Meeting many different peo ple fro m many different co untries
1. The o ther guest students fro m all o ver the wo rld. 2. The BuddySystem
The Buddysystem
Traveling and the peo ple! I made so me wo nderful friends and have great memo ries!
The peo ple yo u get to meet at scho o l and during yo ur travel.
Far and away, the best part o f the my exchange pro gram was the o ppo rtunity to meet so many wo nderful peo ple fro m all o f the wo rld. I no w have real relatio nships with
peo ple fro m abo ut two do zen co untries. This baffles me. I kno w that I can land pretty much anywhere o n the earth and will have a nice friendly face to see and a place to
sleep. It is pretty co o l.
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55.
6 0 . What was the mo st difficult part?
T e xt Re spo nse
Having to gut o ut my time in St. Gallen when I didn't have time to travel o r class.
Fo o d is absurdly expensive, at bo th markets and restaurants. Other than that, mo stly just the absence o f helpfulness fro m mo st o f the lo cals.
The co urses have been the mo st challenging because the pro fesso rs do no t give very much guidance and no rmally o ur grade depends o n o ur o ne final exam. So metimes
I feel like I have studied so much and still do n't feel fully prepared fo r the exams because they do n't give any guidance.
the fo o d, the language, the weather
Adjusting to the co lder weather. At times being the o nly no n-german speaker in a class. Also , meeting peo ple as difficult since a lo t o f the university students co mmute and
go ho me o n the weekends. So there's no t a lo t o f University Spirit (co mpared to SC at least, which has campus o rganizatio ns, greek life, fo o tball games, etc.).
10 0 % final exams
1. Bo redo m (lack o f nightlife) 2. The scho o l is lo cated at the to p o f a MOUNTAIN. 3. Language 4. Weather
cultural differences- sho ps clo sing at 7, everything being clo sed o n Sundays budgeting- high co st o f transpo rtatio n and fo o d
The end o f the pro gram when finals are o ver and yo u are ready to go ho me. Just keep yo urself busy until the end. Also , there was no adequate gym.
The classes were structured differently than the classes at USC. It to o k a while to adjust.
The mo st difficult part o f the pro gram was adjusting to the different academic expectatio ns. Having my grade depend so lely o n my perfo rmance o n o ne exam at the end o f
the semester is rather daunting. It was hard fo r me perso nally to adjust to creating and enfo rcing my o wn deadlines fo r studying. I was surprised to learn ho w much I rely o n
external fo rces to get things do ne.
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56.
6 1. Describe a situatio n that yo u experienced as a result o f culture sho ck
o r cultural misunderstanding. Ho w did yo u reso lve it?
T e xt Re spo nse
The prices were so high, I raised my credit card limit.
There is a middle-aged man that lives in the apartment belo w me that co nstantly yells and po unds o n my ceiling fo r making to much no ise. The pro blem is, I rarely make
no ise; he has even do ne this while I was asleep. I try to explain this to him, that I can't prevent the flo o rs fro m creaking when I walk, etc., but he speaks po o r english.
Eventually a German-speaking neighbo r go t tired o f hearing him yell at me and spo ke to him abo ut it.
The trash situatio n was very interesting at the beginning because yo u have to pay abo ut $25 fo r ten trash bags that yo u need to use fo r trash o nce a week. Furthermo re,
recycling do esn't co me by fo r weeks at a time so we end up with piles o f paper and cardbo ard in o ur kitchen.
in general mo st peo ple aro und to wn o nly speak german, even at the scho o l canteen o r the po st o ffice o r bus statio n. i just picked up wo rds as the semester pro gress.
I can't think o f any currently.
1. the fo o d is so expensive in St. gallen. 2. students kno ck o n the table in the end o f every class to sho w their appreciatio n to the instructo rs.
The Swiss take their lunch breaks very serio usly. I made the mistake o f trying to ask a questing during so meo nes lunch and they explo ded. Overreactio n aside, they've go t
a po int tho ugh. Just avo id o ffices between 12:0 0 -13:30 , including HSG advising/ho using.
I didn't experience culture sho ck.
The first time I went gro cery sho pping I tried to buy vegetables like yo u do in the US and go t yelled at in German. Apparently in Euro pe yo u have to weight yo ur veggies
yo urself and then buy them. Lesso n learned!
Everyo ne were very curio us to learn abo ut my life in America as I was to learn abo ut their's. We to o k turn co mparing o ur up bringing.
I really didn't experience much culture sho ck. Perhaps the o nly thing that I can to uch o n is the gro cery prices. Because gro ceries were so expensive in Switzerland I initially
fo und myself unwilling to buy. After an initially hungry first weekend I realized that I wo uld need to bite the bullet, because I co uld no t allo w myself to starve fo r the fo ur
mo nths. So , I grinned and beared the high priced fruit, veggies, milk, and eggs. Ho wever, fo r less perishable items, I to o k an ho ur train ride to buy gro ceries in Germany. I
am pretty sure this was vio lating so me bilateral trade agreements, and that I may in fact technically be a smuggler, but I didn't run into any tro uble. Bring a ro lling duffle bag.
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57.
6 2. Describe so mething that yo u are pro ud o f having acco mplished during
yo ur stay.
T e xt Re spo nse
Traveling to 10 co untries
I saw many things I've never seen befo re; I'm pro ud o f having traveled alo ne o n multiple o ccasio ns; and I did so me o f the mo st intense skiing I've ever do ne at so me o f the
mo st amazing mo untains I've ever seen.
I am pro ud o f understanding the Swiss German language a lo t mo re and understanding the lo cal peo ple mo re.
learnt to read alo t o f german
Navigated thro ugh the Gatwick airpo rt o n my o wn while I was o n my way to visit my friend. Also , I was able to o rder a bo ttle o f water entirely in German. On the o the end o f
the spectrum, I feel mo re co nnected to the wo rld o utside o f the U.S. which so unds cliche (o r makes me co me o ff as o verly sheltered prio r to this trip), but it's so mething I
feel stro ngly abo ut.
being a backpacker and traveling many co untries
I have friends all o ver the wo rld in 40 + co untries no w.
Jo ining AIESEC and finding an internship.
I to o k the wro ng train a co uple o f times. No rmally I wo uld panic, but we just stayed calm, laughed it o ff and we made it to o ur destinatio n!
I passed all o f my classes.
I learned to co o k while I was in Switzerland. There is so mething strikingly satisfying abo ut preparing yo ur o wn fo o d. I had always had "easier" o ptio ns and limited
o ppo rtunities to co o k befo re arriving in Switzerland. It was literally trial by fire, but I can ho nestly say that this was o ne o f the mo st valuable skills I learned.
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58.
6 3. What do yo u wish yo u had kno wn abo ut befo re leaving?
T e xt Re spo nse
That St. Gallen is in a small village where it is $15 fo r a #1 at McDo nalds and 8 0 % guys with no so cial lives.
Ho w difficult the Master's level classes wo uld be, and just ho w expensive Switzerland is.
I wo uld have liked to kno w that the bachelo r's English co urse selectio n is highly limited and that as a student it is almo st guaranteed that yo u will have to take master's
co urses and mo st likely finance co urses.
the language barrier, the size o f the to wn, ho w expensive it is to live in switzerland
No thing really. I was to ld to "no t expect anything to be like ho w it is as SC." So that was pro bably the best advice I go t befo re studying here.
1. the average student ho using price 2. so me basic language skill
To o much to list here. Email me if yo u must kno w.
General prices o f basic co mmo dities.
I was pretty well prepared I think, but I wish I had shipped things to me instead o f struggling with my 70 po und suitcase o n the way there. Thank go o dness fo r helpful airpo rt
peo ple!
I co ntacted the girls fro m the ho st scho o l befo re leaving. They were very helpful and info rmative. I highly reco mmend do ing that.
I wish that I wo uld have been better info rmed abo ut all o f the taxes and fees upo n arrival. I wish that I wo uld have kno wn the details o f the Half - Tax and After 7 train passes.
I also wish that I wo uld have been better info rmed abo ut the co urse bidding system.
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59.
6 4. Do yo u have any travel tips to share?
T e xt Re spo nse
Fo r flights sidestep.co m and fo r trains yo u must buy a half-pass and after-7 pass.
Inter-euro pe flights are usually cheaper o ut o f Basel than Zurich. Buy the half-fare card and the after 7pm free card fo r the Swiss trains.
Stay in ho stels and lo o k fo r go o d deals o nline.
do n't bo o k ho stels co z they are cheapest, read all reviews befo re bo o king
I do n't co nsider myself the mo st savvy traveler. Use Ryanair o r Easyjet.
plan befo rehand. Travel with peo ple who yo u can get alo ng with
If yo u're go ing to to ur a city o n fo o t, instead rent BIKES. Yo u will co ver way mo re area and yo ur legs wo n't be tired at the end o f the day. Yo ur behind might hurt a little
tho ugh... Prague, Czech Republic was my favo rite city. Bath ho uses in Budapest, Hungary. Verzasca Dam bungee jumping in Lo carno , Switzerland. Auschwitz everyo ne
sho uld see at so me po int in Krako w, Po land. >>Do n't go to Bratislava.
Bo o k flights o r train tickets in advance as it gets mo re expensive as the date appro aches.
Travel with peo ple that yo u like. I wo uld reco mmend go ing to a lo catio n that is lo wer o n yo ur to do list o ver o ne yo u really want to see if it means go ing with friends yo u will
have a go o d time with. Also , do n't be afraid to ask peo ple (fo r directio ns, dinner reco mmendatio ns) lo cals are very helpful and usually like talking to yo u.
Keep yo ur impo rtant belo ngings clo se to yo u at all times. There are plenty o f pick po ckets in Euro pe.
Pack abo ut 25% o f the things that yo u think yo u need to pack. Serio usly.
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60.
6 5. What wo uld yo u like to say to the students go ing after yo u?
T e xt Re spo nse
Really co nsider if this is what yo u want. It is no t the ro manticized lo catio n o ther places are. It is a small village witho ut a so cial life and a student bo dy that is highly
decentralized.
Make sure yo u explo re the o utdo o rs (hiking, skiing, etc.) in Switzerland, because it's unlike anywhere else.
Be prepared to take master's co urses and learn a little German, o r at least try to , befo re the semester begins.
Have fun and make the mo st o f yo ur time.
Do n't expect anything to be like ho w it is at SC.
Enjo y yo ur life abro ad. Travel as much as po ssible. Attend scho o l so cial events. Spend time with o ther exchange/lo cal students. Get alo ng with yo ur flatmates. Pass all
co urses.
Email me with any questio ns. I'd be happy to answer them fo r yo u. alvinliu@usc.edu
St. Gallen is extremely tiny, but there is a unique sense o f co mmunity in that. The university is also very small and there is no sense o f campus life o r pride like at SC. The
Swiss peo ple are unique and yo u will learn the nuances o f their character and so ciety the mo re time yo u spend living there.
Befo re cho o sing Switzerland, co nsider that it is go ing to be co ld, I wo re bo o ts and pants almo st the entire semester. Also , Switzerland is an expensive co untry. We
impro vised by traveling a lo t and having dinner parties and ho use parties instead o f go ing o ut all o f the time. I had a blast but it is co ld and expensive...yo u have been
warned.
Have fun and live the experience.
Have a great time and make friends with the peo ple who run the "Buddy System." They will take great care o f yo u and so lve 9 9 % o f yo ur pro blems. Plus, they kno w ho w to
have a go o d time.
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61.
6 6 . Any final tho ughts...
T e xt Re spo nse
Make sure yo u live in the to wn and no t up by the scho o l.
No ne really
Overall, besides my co urse cho ices and a co urse getting canceled mid-semester, my experience in St. Gallen has been a lo t o f fun. Also , be prepared to study.
/
Pretty much lived up to all o f my expectatio ns fo r study abro ad.
n/a
A semester abro ad will change yo u as a perso n.
It almo st feels like starting co llege all o ver again. No bo dy kno ws yo ur backgro und o r who yo u are back at ho me. Yo u make a who le new circle o f friends and everything
yo u experience is new. Except yo u have a who le new city as yo ur playgro und.
Enjo y yo ur time abro ad, it is an amazing experience!
I wo uld gladly study abro ad again o r wo rk abro ad if given the chance to .
Make the right cho ice, go to St. Gallen.
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