Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Enjoyable, rewarding and academically reigorous Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/04/2012 to 12/21/2012 with

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology: Hong Kong - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained experience studying in a highly competitive environment where teamwork is essential to succeeding. I also gained many friendships with future colleagues from all over the world. It was definitely worth it.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Professors tend to have high expectations. Despite high volumes of material, there were not many assignments compared to my home university. The library is great for studying. Finding a study group may be hard but extremely rewarding.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The exchange student advisor always seemed available. Administration-organized events were done pretty well.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Dorms are great social communities. Housing is many times cheaper than dorms at home university.

* Food:

Loved the food on campus. Relatively cheap, great variety, and friendly service.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Local culture was very hospitable, though socially inclusive. Language barrier seemed to be the biggest issue.

* 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? No

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)

5, campus living costs are reasonably cheap. Restaurants in the metropolitan and surrounding cities are pricier than providers on campus.

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

  • 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?
  • New friends
  • Food
  • Great professors
* What could be improved?
  • Exchange buddy participation and coordination
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Make friends with people who seem very different from yourself in order to see how much more the world is made of.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!