Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Discover, Learn, Open your Mind and gain Experience Past Review

By (Universite Catholique de Lille / Lille Catholic University) - abroad from 08/01/2013 to 07/15/2014 with

Universidad Iberoamericana / IBERO: Mexico City - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
- Fluent in Spanish - Meeting a lot of people coming from all over the world - Personal experience (independent, broad minded, different way of thinking, etc...)

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Basically it depends on which courses you take. Some are more intense and require more personal comittment.

* 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?

The members of the International Office make all the necessary efforts to make you discovers the mexican culture and make you confortable in your integration process.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

No health care to declare. The French government recommend to do some vaccins but I did no one.

* Safety:

I used to fell as safe as I am in France, even at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

My exchange in the Iberoamericana university has been extremely rich. Based on that experience I decided to attend a similar program in another country of Europe this year!

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? 50euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Watch out with your budget at the beginning! Personnaly I spent about 60% of my initial budget planning during the 1st semester, I had to cut some expenses during the 2nd one.

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

All the classes taught in Spanish, the best way to learn a language. All the teachers I got helped me if I was in a bad way with some topics of the class. The class I attended in English was excellent too!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? B2 Spanish Bulats
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? Do not stay with people of the same native language that you! Staying with mexicains and foreigners is much bettter. Surrond yourself by foreigners, it worth it a lot!

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Meeting foreign students
  • The culture of the country (cities, food, people)
  • Being a tourist every single day
* What could be improved?
  • Extend the program period
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The weather :)

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!