Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My first taste of world travel. Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 05/10/2012 to 05/31/2012 with

Berea College: Istanbul - Middle Eastern Cultures: Religion and Arts in Context

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It definitely helped me see what it was like to travel. And although I was with a group I think it helped me have the courage to plan for traveling on my own later in life. And it definitely helped me respect and admire the culture. I have only seen Middle Eastern culture as it is portrayed on TV, but with this trip I got to actually meet these people and experience their amazing culture for myself. It helped me connect with them on a compassionate and face to face level.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 125.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Learn to bargain and bargain hard in places that it is permitted. It will help you so much!

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None for that particular language.
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Read it, write it, say it, practice it, use flash cards!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • I felt like for such a short, three week course I learned so much and really got to see some many parts of this country.
* What could be improved?
  • I feel like there wasn't enough time for personal exploration and we didn't get much sleep but I guess we really had to go from morning until night and it had to be study intensive for us to really learn in such a short time.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I ended up needing a bigger memory card for digital camera because there were so many things I wanted to take pictures of and remember.