Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

AMAZING, Life changing! Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/11/2016 to 05/19/2017 with

University of St. Andrews: St. Andrews - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Lots of different cultures, made lots of new friends which I hope to keep in touch with some of them.

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

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I got to cook it myself so much better than my home school

* 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

I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! If I could stay longer I would have

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? a lot less than home institution would say around 30-40 pounds
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I mean it was cheaper then what I waste in my home school so I was happy and my parents even happier

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? Fluent
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? I was in an English school at an English Speaking country on both home and abroad
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

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?
  • Social Life
  • Freedom of food choice
  • Academic
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe instead of dorm living the IOS could help us get flats
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have gotten a flat instead of a dorm. Most dorms are used by first years and the older students are in flats. Would have loved a flat instead.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'