Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best semester of my life. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/25/2017 to 01/26/2018 with

University of Nottingham: Nottingham - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about being independent, traveling, different cultures, and adapting.

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? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? To take advantage of dining hall meals and student discounts which were more common abroad than in the US.

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? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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?
  • Traveling/Sights
  • Social Scene
  • Different Food
* What could be improved?
  • Better connection between my home and abroad institutions so there is no confusion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It would be expensive no matter what I thought. I should have definitely opened up a card that does not charge for foreign exchange rates.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary North American Fiction
Course Department: American Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was challenging because the instructor expected students to finish books within less than a week throughout the entire term. The teacher was prepared, but the course being only discussions as well it was difficult to keep up with the work. Along with readings, there were almost weekly papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: No I did not.
Course Name/Rating:

Economic Integration 1
Course Department: Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was challenging because the entire class grade was based on the final exam. There was no use of location and field trips. It was only made up of lectures. Less work than home.
Credit Transfer Issues: No I did not.
Course Name/Rating:

Economic Perspectives
Course Department: Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was also challenging because the entire course grade was based on the final paper. I found this class particularly more interesting though. There were not only lectures but labs that brought many more activities and lessons.
Credit Transfer Issues: No I did not.
Course Name/Rating:

Growth and Development in Long Run Historical Perspective
Course Department: Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was easier to follow in lectures because of the lecturer. Although it too like every other Economics course had the course grade based completely on the final exam, it was not as challenging and it was much more manageable.
Credit Transfer Issues: No I did not.