Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I Found Myself in Exhaustion Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/30/2017 to 05/07/2017 with

National Theater Institute: NTI Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes! It was good to take a break from Wellesley's academic environment and jump headfirst into the world of art. 24/7 art all the time. I can now do body rolls and a cartwheel when I stretch beforehand which is fun.

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.

* 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?

The program was bad at addressing physical health and allowing students to take time off even with flu symptoms. There was no mention at all of mental health.

* Safety:

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

It was really tiring and our time/ opinions were often disrespected, but there's something about working nonstop that makes you better at it. I feel much more comfortable pursuing a career in the arts after having been through this program.

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? around $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Never leave the premises so you don't have to pay for dinner.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • The Shakespeare class
  • the 2 weeks in London
  • Improv class
* What could be improved?
  • Treating students like adults
  • having better access to mental health facilities
  • No colorblind casting!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew the attitude that most of our teachers had towards challenging notions they presented in class. Challenging was not encouraged, and we were reprimanded several times for attempting to have discussions about race, gender, etc. that did not align with the teachers' curricula.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!