Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Would do it over in a second! Past Review

By (University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 06/01/2017 to 08/05/2017 with

Boston University: Geneva - International Conflict Resolution, Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
International Conflict Resolution is a niche area in IR which I feel like I gained a significant amount of knowledge in. In applying for internships in DC, I feel like it really set me apart.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very interesting subject matter, gave me a niche knowledge of International Conflict Resolution that I can talk about in interviews now.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Wonderful staff in Geneva, really gave us opportunities to make it a great study abroad experience.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Geneva needs some fans in the rooms, and London put us in a quad room in a basement.

* Food:

not provided

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not much opportunity to interact with locals, but it was only a 2 month program with 1 month in each place

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

They were very clear about how to get treatment!

* Safety:

Felt very safe in both Geneva and London locations.

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

I loved it.

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)

Both places were very expensive

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? In both places, going out to eat is much more expensive than in the US. Save money by cooking for yourself! In London, food is cheaper, and so yummy, at markets around the city.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Size of program
  • Staff in Geneva
  • Visits to international orgs and guest speakers
* What could be improved?
  • Staff in London
  • Some aspects of housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd known how expensive living in Switzerland and London is.

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.