Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Risk, Fail, Risk Again! Past Review

By (Theater Arts, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/27/2012 to 04/28/2012 with

National Theater Institute: NTI Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about myself as an actor. I discovered new areas of interest, grew as a person, and got to work with some really incredible people. I would absolutely do it again.

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.

This was definitely a challenging programme - we were in class for about 90 hours a week, and had homework on top of that. However, the quality of the programme was excellent.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

For the most part, things were very organized; however, it got messy sometimes, especially in Russia.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing was wonderful! I had an individual room in an old farmhouse. The heating &c. was all fine.

* Food:

The food definitely got old after a while, but for the most part it was tasty, and there was always plenty of it. Toward the end of the programme they decided that we needed to have more healthy options (read: fewer unhealthy options), which was kind of lame.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This is a hard question to answer, because we were isolated from the community of Waterford, but we were very integrated with the community on campus.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We were in America, so there wasn't a problem with different health care systems. I (and a few other students) had to leave for doctors appointments once in a while, and they were very supportive.

* Safety:

No problems at all.

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)

There was pretty much no cost other than the tuition that I paid. All meals and transportation were paid for, and we rarely went off campus. I think I spent less tan $300 all semester (possibly more in Russia).

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? almost none
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not money-saving, but bring cash to Russia or England! You will want it.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • the intensity
  • the other students
  • the instructors
* What could be improved?
  • theatre lab critiques
  • organization in Russia
  • the availability of decent tea
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to bring money to Russia. Other than that, I felt very well-prepared.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.