Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

If I could do it again I would not hesitate to go through the process again Past Review

By (St. Cloud State University) - abroad from 12/26/2014 to 01/11/2015 with

Study Abroad Programs in Thailand

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Before I went on the trip I had a mind set of the things that I will encounter over seas. When we actually started exploring the cities and going off on our own I started to realize that I should have been more open minded from the start.

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.

* 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? $250.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Start saving a percentage of your pay check. I did about 20% of each of my pay check for 4 months straight. Start saving as soon as you think about applying for any study abroad programs

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? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I spoke one of the languages that you can find in Laos so I didn't have to much trouble
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Have a friend who speaks that language. Its easier to pick up the language if you are talking to someone that speaks the language fluently.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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 interactions with the local Hmong people in Laos
  • The historical sites that those countries are known for
  • The bonding of peers and advisors
* What could be improved?
  • More destination options within the countries to choose form
  • The courses that need to be taken could be improved to better prepare students for culture shock
  • Better communication between the advisors and students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How fortunate I am living in the United States. I realize how people struggle to make a living in the countries that we visited. Their education system doesn't come close to what we have here in the US.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.