Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life changing experience! Got to see the world with my own eyes. Past Review

By (Bentley University) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 04/25/2013 with

Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much! I learned that you may think you know a country but you really don't until you set foot in that country. I enjoyed my experience abroad and got to appreciate the ocean since I was on it half of the time or more while abroad. I learned so much about ships, culture, food, languages, and even say "Hi" and "Thank You" in about 12 languages. I can truly say that Semester at Sea is a great opportunity to learn, travel the world, and make some ever lasting friendships.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Through out my entire trip I spent $4,000
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to budget how much you plan to spend in each country you visit. Try to do some research beforehand so that you know how expensive and things to do while in the country that you visit. Also, try to do independent trip which may be cheaper but also plan at least 1 or 2 trips with the field office. Lastly, join the FB page so that you meet people beforehand and can plan trips to do in different countries.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The opportunity to go more than one country.
  • Traveling on your own or with friends while in that country.
  • Being at sea!
* What could be improved?
  • The Internet situation should be improve.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it is important to join the fb page beforehand so that you meet people and plan trips with them.