Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

INNOVATE was great! Past Review

By (Industrial Engineering, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 03/05/2015 to 03/15/2015 with

University of Pittsburgh: China - INNOVATE, Hosted by the Asia Institute

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about the Chinese culture and knowledge I could apply to my major.

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.

I had a lot of fun on this trip and learned the whole time I was on it. I got the opportunity to learn about another culture in combination with knowledge I could apply to my major!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were very helpful and easy to talk to! They seemed like they had everything coordinated and well-organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

All of the hotels we stayed in were beautiful with great breakfast!

* Food:

I loved the food, but got sick of all the dinners where we had to do a turn-table style dinner.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt that I learned a lot about their culture!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have health issues on the trip, but did feel that the public restrooms were gross at times.

* Safety:

I felt safe the whole time because I was always with another student, a teacher, a TA, or a PC.

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)

I didn't really keep a budget, but was able to get money when I needed to.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Cannot remember.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No, but mostly all of your meals are provided so all you really pay for are souvenirs.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • PCs
  • Culture
  • Experience
* What could be improved?
  • Bathrooms
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? What you expect something will be like will not always be that way in reality, it could be better!

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!