Amazing Experience Past Review

By (Bryant University) - abroad from 01/14/2012 to 05/20/2012 with

CIEE: Brussels - Business, Communications and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Gained the experience of being submerged into another culture that I would of never got to experience by just traveling for a short time...it was so worthwhile!

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.

The courses were similar to the American style of teaching but the campus was much different that what we are usually accustomed to in the US.

* 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? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around 25 to 40 euros each week on food and 40 euros on other expenses
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? budget on a weekly or bi-weekly basis

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
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? Memorize basic phrases that you know will be most helpful to you

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Meeting new kids from around the world
  • Understanding different cultures
  • Being independent so far from home
* What could be improved?
  • Class work
  • More of an understanding of housing before I left
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The ratings of professors and the difficulty of classes