Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Unforgettable Academic Experience to four countries in sixteen days Past Review

By (Finance, Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge) - abroad from 12/27/2015 to 01/10/2016 with

International Business Seminars: Winter Europe

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that there is a whole world outside of my own. I hadn't gone traveling outside of the US at all, so I was very used to the American, especially southern, culture. Being immersed in another culture was a very humbling experience in that I was in an unfamiliar place and had to rely asking others for directions, and sometimes just feeling completely lost. It not only taught me how to respect other cultures but to embrace them. This trip was more than worthwhile. The lessons I learned in these two weeks could never be taught as effectively in a classroom.

Review Photos

International Business Seminars: Winter One Europe - 4 Countries in 16 Days! Photo International Business Seminars: Winter One Europe - 4 Countries in 16 Days! Photo International Business Seminars: Winter One Europe - 4 Countries in 16 Days! Photo International Business Seminars: Winter One Europe - 4 Countries in 16 Days! Photo International Business Seminars: Winter One Europe - 4 Countries in 16 Days! Photo

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?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? A little under $100.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy cheaper souvenirs. I bought postcards because I was trying to save money, but it's still a great memoir. It also doesn't take up a lot of room in your luggage.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Meeting students from all over the US.
  • Being able to tour companies I wouldn't be able to as a regular tourist.
  • Experienced leaders who were always there to help.
* What could be improved?
  • Communication when traveling on the Tube or Metro.
  • Eliminating the scavenger hunt.
  • An extra day in Geneva or Heidelberg.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's okay to veer from my schedule. During our free time, I had a list of places I wanted to see for each day. During the first few days I would become upset that I didn't get to see or do something I had planned. I realized when I plan things, they are not always going to go the way I planned, especially with a group that wants to do different things. Some days, we ended up doing things not on my schedule, but they ended up creating incredible memories that I wouldn't take back for anything. By the end of the two weeks, I didn't even look at my list and went with what our group was feeling at the moment, and it worked out so well! Sometimes being impulsive leads to greater things than a list could ever give.