Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Gained a Wider Understanding of the World January 08, 2025

By (Sociology and Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/01/2024 to 12/21/2024 with

University of Minnesota: MSID - International Development in Thailand

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
From my experience, I learned about Southeast Asia, myself, and the world at large. I made many friends and got to experience so many new and exciting things. I gained a larger, more nuanced perspective of the world and now want to continue exploring the world.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The ISDSI staff are all very kind-hearted and resourceful! They really made the program so amazing!

* 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?

I got sick in the middle of the program and my program director scheduled an appointment at a private hospital the next day. She came with me to the hospital and helped me navigate it. Getting an appointment, picking up prescription, and the overall process was very smooth and consolidated. With my insurance, there was no additional cost for the appointment and the prescriptions I received.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I enjoyed ISDSI, but wish I did one of the other programs hosted by ISDSI like CEC. For what I wanted out of study abroad, looking back I should have chosen a program without the internship portion. That being said, I still gained a lot from the MSID program and am happy that I did it.

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)

The program gave us a stipend which covered most of my costs.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $30

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? None
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? N/A
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? Speak to locals and ISDSI staff.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Village stays
  • Learning from locals
  • ISDSI staff
* What could be improved?
  • Communication about student expenses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Students will have to pay out of pocket for their transportation during the internship portion. It is also beneficial to thoroughly research your internship placement before choosing it and ask a lot of questions about what you will be doing day to day.

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.