Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best decision I could've made Past Review

By (Washington State University) - abroad from 01/05/2016 to 04/21/2016 with

Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lifetime of memories and friendships from around the world that are constantly inspiring me, motivating me and getting me to be the best I can possibly be.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academically challenging, found myself learning more with such a hands-on approach, especially as we would go into countries and discuss what we had gone over

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

LOVED this program! I especially liked how I really got to see some of the more non-traditional "study abroad" countries. It got me out of my comfort zone and experiencing different cultures in a new way.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was basically the Suite Life on Deck...

* Food:

Great food, constant buffet on the ship and then in countries I tried some interesting dishes, but from the programs through SAS I always had a veggie meal which I definitely appreciated!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not only was I just doing my own thing most of the time but when I went on certain programs or labs through Semester At Sea, I felt I got to talk to more of the local people and experience their living situations through their eyes rather than my own.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The doctor wasn't always readily available in country which was a struggle for me in one of the more rural countries we visited. The health care in this country wasn't exactly the best, but other than that I didn't have many issues!

* Safety:

I always felt safe, especially if I was on a program through SAS, they also kept tabs on us if we weren't so I was never too worried.

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

Semester At Sea is a program I can barely sum up in a paragraph. It's incredible not just because you get to visit more than 1 country in 3 months but you're immersed in culture constantly and the people around you on the ship and literally and figuratively in the same boat. They talk about what you're all experiencing, because it does get hard sometimes but in the end, you learn so much about yourself and the world around you.

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)

I think I did pretty well, especially since the countries were often very cheap!

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep a budget and stick to it...I kind of gave up on keeping up with it and it kind of affected what I was eating toward the end...the backpackers diet took on a whole new meaning.

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

  • 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 places: over 12 countries
  • The conversations with other students/ relationships I made
  • Learning in a hands on way on a deeper level than the norm
* What could be improved?
  • More social events to get people to meet outside of their groups
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How incredibly precious each and every day was, I wish I could go back to myself and say not to sleep or stay in and instead go out and talk to local people, continue making more friends or just smile more because it goes by so fast.

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.