Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The experience was the most amazing of my life! BYU in Iasi Past Review

By (FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/01/2013 to 07/25/2013 with

Study Abroad Programs in Romania

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Understanding and love for people in another culture. Valuable experience for my major and career goals.

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.

Expectations for cultural class did not seem clear and even changed.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Some people were very nice and allowed us to work, but others we worked with clearly did not want us here. This made it very difficult to get all of the required hours.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartment was fairly nice, dishes were gross and we had to buy all new ones, no air conditioning even though it is super hot and humid, no water filter so we must buy and transport our water. No internet, this makes it very hard to work on classes

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no major health care issues, but health care appears very poor here, even in private hospitals. One girl was prescribed chair as a medicine

* Safety:

I felt safe here for the most part. You will be heckeled by men on the street and sometimes touched.just walk fast and DO not talk to them! Do not let personal items unattended ever, because they will be stolen.

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)

Romania is cheap, but food from the grocery store is not. Packages of anything are small but about the same price as America. Things like bread and fruit are cheap though.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 115
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't try to eat like an American, it will make food a lot more expensive.

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? Beginner
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? romanian 100
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • that there is an in country facilitator and contact
* What could be improved?
  • more organization, understanding that required hours are hard to get because few people want your help or for you to be here
  • contact with program cordinators throughout the semester.
  • internet is necessary for classes and not everyone has it ,there should be due dates through out the semester.there should be clearer expectations for classes.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How disorganized it was and that people don't want you or you help here. But the kids and the work you do get to do make it so worth it!

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.