Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best Gap Year Experience Ever! Past Review

By (University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa) - abroad from 09/17/2019 to 03/18/2020 with

Thinking Beyond Borders: Traveling - Global Gap Year

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained more than I could ever imagine. I gained a better understanding of myself, my place in the world, and all of the other cultures around the globe that we got to not only visit, but live in!

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

This was one of the most meaningful and educational experiences of my life! And one of the most fun! Who wouldn't want to do it again?

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? $5-10
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Your host family will provide all of your meals, but make sure to save enough money for small group travel weekends, they can get kinda expensive, but they are also completely optional!

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 2
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? The best way to learn a language is through immersion and there is no better way to do that than through the host family living with the Thinking Beyond Borders Global Gap Year Program!

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

  • Other
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 learning and growth opportunities
  • The group of students and the leaders
  • The host family living
* What could be improved?
  • The communication with overseas staff
  • The packing list
  • The seminar readings could be updated
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much fun i would I have and how much i would grow as a person and grow in my relationships with everyone on the program!

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.