Life-changing Past Review

By (Northern Illinois University) - abroad from 01/01/2017 to 01/12/2017 with

International Business Seminars: Winter Southeast Asia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was a worthwhile experience. I was able to learn how differently foreign businesses operate compared to those in the United States. I was able to also learn about overall cultural differences between US society, and those of other cultures.

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.

* 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?

No experiences regarding healthcare

* Safety:

Cities were very safe for the most part. Recommend traveling about the cities in groups.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would choose the same program because it was a great way for me to learn about Southeast Asian cultures and their differences while networking with great peers, leaders, and international representatives.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Always withdrawal a bit more than you expect to spend. (unless you're on a tight budget.)

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

Was encouraged to use the language when we were able to

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Know the basics (i.e., please, thank you, excuse me, sorry, hello, goodbye, bathroom)

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
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?
  • Food
  • Experiences
  • People met
* What could be improved?
  • flight schedule
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To be prepared for ridiculously long flights.

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.