Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Everything a musician could ask for Past Review

By (Music., Boston College) - abroad from 08/20/2014 to 12/20/2014 with

IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a solid group of girlfriends that I believe I will be friends with for the rest of my life. I also improved greatly as a musician, and received invaluable career advice from my private lesson teacher that has encouraged me to consider pursuing a Master's in music performance. The experience helped me become more independent and aware of myself as a person.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Vienna - IES Abroad in Vienna Photo IES Abroad: Vienna - IES Abroad in Vienna Photo IES Abroad: Vienna - IES Abroad in Vienna Photo IES Abroad: Vienna - IES Abroad in Vienna Photo IES Abroad: Vienna - IES Abroad in Vienna Photo

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?

My roommates both had health issues to be addressed and IES didn't provide support in a timely fashion

* 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)

I cooked very simply and didn't eat out or shop often, but it was very hard to budget even with a work study job on the side.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent around $80 a week

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

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

  • Americans
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 easy accessibility of the music culture (i.e. concerts, operas)
  • The chamber music ensembles and relationships between musicians that were fostered.
* What could be improved?
  • Their response to health care
  • The general cost of the program - it was a financial reach for me to come on this program, and I wish it could've been easier for my family and I.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I now have better discipline towards practicing and focus regarding what I really want to do in the future, and I felt like if I brought that with me when going on the program I wouldn't have felt so lost in the beginning.

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!