Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An unforgettable experience! January 25, 2024

By (Peace Studies, Conflict Resolution, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/04/2023 to 12/17/2023 with

SIT Study Abroad: Belgrade, Budapest, and Vienna - Comparative European Perspectives on Conflict and Democracy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about new authoritarianism, illiberalism, and populism in Serbia, Austria, and Hungary and how the history of conflict from the Ottomans to WWI and II, to the Yugoslav Wars, all have immense influence on the region to this day, through memory politics, social norms, and more.

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.

* 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?

* 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? 0-30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The stipend is more than enough to cover food expenses!

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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 experiential aspect! (excursions and ISM)
  • My cohort of classmates
  • Program support for individual students (ex: accompaniment to doctor's office)
* What could be improved?
  • More exploration of Serbia beyond just Belgrade. Maybe arrange a weekend or day trip somewhere domestic?
  • Have class Mon-Thur. Leave Friday as a free day.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How restricted independent travel would be. Since you have class 5 days a week, the only opportunity for independent travel is friday night-sunday night. This makes it difficult to plan a cost-effective trip and leads to burn out/exhaustion for those who do travel on the weekends. Not to mention, it is difficult to bond with your host family if you travel often.

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!