Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Long Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/14/2018 to 06/21/2019 with

API (Academic Programs International): Krakow - Jagiellonian University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned alot about myself, I learned alot of independence. I struggled socially alot especially first semester and

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academically the program is not challenging. Alot of the written assignments necessary for the classes assume you are not a native english speaker and thus the papers are more focused on keeping to a thesis vs the content and how you defend your ideas. I did take classes in Polish because I speak Polish and those were really challenging and my Polish language course was also challenging!

* 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

It was a program that matched what I was looking for. My two semesters and the experiences I sought out were very VERY different

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)

I spent between $260 - $380 a month and felt very comfortable. I have never lived in a place where I felt so financially secure like in Krakow.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 65$-95$ a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget per month. Then at the end of the month even if it was for just 10 days or a week I knew I needed to be more frugal without worrying that I would have to be this frugal indefinitely.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

You could definitely get by not knowing any Polish but I think if you did speak Polish the program provided many opportunities to practice it

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I took 8 years of Polish Saturday school
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Taking a language course at your correct level is really helpful. I struggled in my C2 semester long class because of the pace.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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 city - krakow
  • The flat was nice
  • The classes were interesting
* What could be improved?
  • not alot of integragation with European students
  • pretty small - not many americans
  • Everything else was great!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You're on your own to make European friends

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.