Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Semester Abroad Past Review

By (Business Administration and International Studies, West Virginia University) - abroad from 01/06/2019 to 04/24/2019 with

CEPA Foundation: Strasbourg - EU Studies Semester Abroad Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
From this experience, I gained a new sense of confidence and independence that I will carry with me from now on. Being able to see the world and travel on my own has pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow as a person.

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

I absolutely loved my semester abroad experience. Strasbourg is very centrally located and makes it very easy to get out and travel around Europe. The CEPA program was great because they supplemented our in class learning with excursions around the area to help us learn more and experience our environment. If given the chance I would do it all over again.

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? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you choose not to travel around Europe much, it is quite affordable to get groceries and cook your own food. However, if you travel often, it is quite expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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 people
  • The excursions
  • The city of Strasbourg
* What could be improved?
  • more clarity in instructions, guidelines, and expectations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Something I wish I knew before this program was that everyone is in the same boat as me. Everyone studying abroad for the first time is in the same place as me and I do not need to be afraid, just put myself out there and see what happens.

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.