Best decision ever. Past Review

By nancy.oconnell (University of Missouri - Columbia) - abroad from 01/28/2012 to 06/06/2012 with

Maastricht University: Maastricht - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a ton about business as well as about tons of different cultures.It was the most worthwhile thing I've ever done. I made life long friends and had experiences that I can never replicate.

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.	SBE definitely lives up to it's "Top 50 Business School" ranking. It was a challenging study program, but I learned a ton and found it very rewarding.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived in the main Guesthouse with all of the other exchange students and absolutely loved it. Because Maastricht attracts students from all over the world, living in the Guesthouse helped me make friends from all over the world (Brazil, Ireland, Scottland, Hungary, Singapore)
* Food:	I rarely ate out. The food at the grocery stores was very affordable though.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Very integrated. The Dutch people are very friendly and they have a fun and quirky culture.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	There was a pharmacy attached to to the Guesthouse which made it easy to get any sort of medicine I needed. My roommate ended up having to get stitches at the local hospital and they did not do a very good job at that. So, as long as you don't have too serious of an issue, they have good health care.
* 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?	30 euros a week on food ( I shopped for food with my roommate)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Buy food with your roommate and avoid eating at restaurants. All restaurants charge for water.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students
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?	Housing Block schedules ( 2 classes at a time)
* What could be improved?	Nothing.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I would have known to buy a good bike.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	International Business Strategy
Course Department:	SBE
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	It is very challenging. You are expected to have read every single article and know all of the main points from different studies. Make sure you read. There is one final exam at the end of the block period and it is fill in the blank.
Credit Transfer Issues: