Experience of a Lifetime!!! Past Review

By (Saint Joseph's University) - abroad from 08/21/2019 to 12/06/2019 with

Loyola University Chicago: Ho Chi Minh City - Study Abroad Vietnam Center

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a new sense of myself and a heightened appreciation for the country, the culture, and the people living there.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Amazing program with amazing staff that support you along the way!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Great support from staff

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Super grateful to have enough space and lived so comfortably

* Food:

Cannot stress this enough!! Food is so so good in Vietnam! Street food is the way to go

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Vietnamese partner program was amazing and connected us with students our age.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Did not experience any, but a few friends had a good experience.

* Safety:

Honestly never felt more safe in my life than in Vietnam and the other countries I visited.

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)

Everything is fairly cheap and inexpensive

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

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • No class on Fridays
  • Class was far from the dorm so we got the chance to explore more
  • Small - got to know everyone
* What could be improved?
  • Vietnamese partner program
  • Professors getting on board with locus
  • More activities?
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You really do not need as much money as people would think. You can have a pretty cheap budget.

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.