Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life-changing, eye-opening experience!! Past Review

By (nursing, Simmons College) - abroad from 07/06/2016 to 08/06/2016 with

Forum-Nexus: Ultimate Summer in Europe - 9 Cities in 1 Month

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained international IQ, confidence, friendship, and a further drive to travel!!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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 would do Forum Nexus every summer if I could. Within 24 hours of arriving, I made what felt like lifelong friends. The FN group really becomes a family, and the people I traveled with are some of the most important people in my life. Throughout the trip, we got to immerse ourselves in tons of cultures. Before each country, Hugo, the program director, would lead a lecture on the culture, language, history, and geography of our next destination. When we arrived, we would see some major landmarks with the group and then get free time to personalize our experiences. I truly felt like we had enough time in each location, because classes end in the early afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore. The classes were exceptional, led by charismatic and intelligent professors from all over the world. My favorite part was getting to see so much of the world through an academic eye, and really getting to understand the history of the places we saw. Forum Nexus was a life changing experience which cannot be rivaled by any other program. I am confident when I say no other program offers the same level of academics, travel, connection, and fun all at the same time.

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)

I was able to live pretty well on my budget. While it was expensive, FN prepared us for the cost and was always available to help find cheaper options.

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? BUDGET! And ask Hugo for the cheaper places, he knows!!!

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

Hugo (the program director) really encouraged us to use the language whenever possible!!!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? College level
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? Immerse yourself and try and work daily on the language- it is a slow process, but totally doable!

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

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Cultural education
  • Hugo (program director)
  • Culture within program- family
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much I would love it- I wish I wasn't so anxious before going!!!

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.