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When you think of customer testimonials, you're mind may naturally link to consumer goods. However, can also be extremely useful in educational settings. By hearing what past participants in a given program have to say about their experience, you will be able to make a more informed decision about whether or not that program would be a good fit for you.
Testimonials about educational programming can take many forms and formats, although they tend to trend into two separate camps. Some of them praise the school's strong points, focusing on the classroom experience. Others focus on insider tips for how to navigate the area, letting you know whether or not integrating will be an issue.
As you read through , you may be struck by the kinds of things the participants felt were noteworthy enough to mention. Teachers who stuck out as particularly friendly or unkind will want to be noted, so that you can see if you would have the same instructors during your time there. Local hangouts should also be noted down, for while these can wax and wane in popularity they are still good places to start for meeting friends.
You will also want to note down any administrative issues that were mentioned in the testimonials and reviews of the program you are considering. Be sure that credits transfer if that is your main concern, and see how students felt about the skills they built during their time there to see if those credits truly have value. Regardless of what the official brochure claims, the voices of actual participants will let you know what can really be learned.
You can also leverage these testimonies from students when working with your school's study abroad advisors. Many have favorite programs that they know well and encourage all comers to attend, but using real experience reports you will be able to negotiate a program of study that truly meets your needs. You will have the first-hand accounts of others like yourself to keep you from being pushed into a program that simply isn't best for you.
Thus, rather than skipping over testimonies when they appear along with educational program offerings, read them carefully. Each one contains nuggets of useful information for you to leverage to improve your own educational experience. Collect these bits of knowledge and put them to good use when it is time for you to make hard choices about your own programming desires.