Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (Econ, The College of William and Mary) for

CIEE: Brussels - Advanced Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
yes

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Vesalius College, ULB
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.

Besides the internship the school was pretty relaxed. It felt like high school.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Tons of field trips ('excursions')to all over the place. Encouraged a little to much interaction with only other Ciee students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Frites.

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Food and beverage add up quick especially in terms of euro to dollar.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? FR 201
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Host family living contributed the most to my study of french.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Good central location that is off the mainstream study abroad destinations. However, it was difficult to interact with locals because it wasn't full emersion.