Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study abroad if at all possible and make it a priority! You won't forget it. Past Review

By (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 09/25/2017 to 12/08/2017 with

University of Birmingham: Birmingham - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be by myself, which sounds terrible. However learning to travel solo and be self-sufficient was something I never knew I needed to learn how to do. It was empowering.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They did their best, however, it was a large international exchange program which dealt with EU and other International Student.s

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved living with all UK students. Though I was living in a First Year dorm, I still appreciated getting to know students from a different educational path than my own.

* Food:

I pretty much had to cook for myself or go elsewhere but I enjoyed the challenge of hunting down the best places.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

All of my modules were integrated and I had to go out of my way to interact with exchange students which I liked academically but was a little more difficult socially.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* 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)

It's much more difficult with travel expenses

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? between 40-300 pounds depending on if I was traveling
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? over budget for traveling..such as train/plane/hostel etc.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?
  • you were left to do your own thing
* What could be improved?
  • if at all possible a little more connection between abroad students not directly placed in the international student housing would go a long way.
  • More support for students not acclimating well to the transition
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had known that not being one hundred percent okay with how things were going is fine. That you don't ALWAYS have to be happy.

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.