Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best time of my life!!! Past Review

By (St. Cloud State University) - abroad from 01/04/2012 to 04/23/2012 with

St. Cloud State University: Alnwick - St. Cloud in England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This trip was definitely worthwhile. I have learned so much about the British culture, and many other cultures that I got to see while traveling. I have gained a much better understanding of what it is like to live abroad in such an amazing country, and a life long family of all the students who I went with.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were everyday except for fridays in which we attended field trips those days. Work load wasn't too bad at all!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Most issues were taken care of in a timely manner.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We got to live in a castle, does get too much better. Besides occasionally losing hot water and heat, but you manage. (:

* Food:

The food was almost always catered, and they had mostly good meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I feel like there wasn't enough time between school and other important priorities to get to know the people of the town. When we did have time, it was great. The people are so polite and welcoming.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't personally experience any health issues, but a few people in my group did and received the attention needed promptly.

* Safety:

There was security on site 24hrs a day on the castle grounds. The town itself is very safe, I never felt uncomfortable.

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)

Before leaving the cost they estimated was really under budgeted. I think that part of the issue was just how much of a difference there is between the dollar and the pound.

* 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? 10 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? give yourself extra money-maybe 2 grand more than you expect to spend because the pound (and euro- used during traveling) is much more expensive than the dollar.

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

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Living with and doing almost everything with everyone who chose the same trip
  • Living in Alnwick, in a castle.
  • The amount of time for traveling (3 weeks!)
* What could be improved?
  • more time there, it felt so short.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? the amount of time that goes into planning your travel breaks, and the the amount it costs to live and travel abroad.