You unintentionally learn more than you would expect! Past Review

By (Business Finance, California Lutheran University) - abroad from 01/02/2020 to 02/12/2020 with

International Business Seminars: Winter Southeast Asia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience allowed me to gain a better understanding that business throughout the world follows the same path towards growth and expansion. Although there may be different regulations and larger/smaller governmental control in other areas, the end goal is still to reach out to consumers. With an understanding of how business is conducted in one nation, another nation may find it extremely useful to gain your knowledge. We all have some sort of knowledge that another nation can benefit from and if we were to go out and find who needs this knowledge, anything is possible. This trip was extremely beneficial towards that understanding and I hope to continue with these travels to learn much more.

Review Photos

International Business Seminars: Winter SE Asia - Thailand and Vietnam in 13 Days! Photo International Business Seminars: Winter SE Asia - Thailand and Vietnam in 13 Days! Photo International Business Seminars: Winter SE Asia - Thailand and Vietnam in 13 Days! Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Great source of information from Executives and Management Leaders that you will not find in a textbook.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Hotels were comfortable and located in great areas for free time to explore. Having a roommate is recommended because meeting someone new from a different state is a great way to socialize and make new friends, especially when they are focused in business as well.

* Food:

If you eat like me, the food in the hotels is great when it comes to the buffet breakfast but the food from the city locals is incredible!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Everyone seems to be open to new people from different areas and they often provide great recommendations for where to go out and what to explore.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you haven't travelled outside of the US before you may be surprised with how the lifestyle differs but the safety is nothing to be worried about. We were up early mornings and out past sunset and there were no issues with people.

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

I would defiantly go to a different region next 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)

Prices are lower compared to here in the US but if you're planning to go out and explore a bit more than usual, travel costs may cut into your budget. Food wise you can manage with $10/day.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100-150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go to those areas that are well known on yelp or on the web. Ask locals about food or just go out and explore the area. We went freestyle with where we would eat 90% of the time and there were absolutely no regrets!

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

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Food
  • New Friends
  • Executives
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe a service provider for easier communication with phones
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You don't need to pack a large amount when meeting with different businesses and you don't need to worry about laundry because hotels and areas around you can provide that service.