Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Stressful but Inspiring! Past Review

By (Utah Valley University) - abroad from 05/01/2012 to 05/23/2012 with

Utah Valley University: Traveling - Business Marketing

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much! I learned how to be a guest and how scary it can be to be in another country with limited ability to communicate which has given me a better understanding of visitors in our own country. I do feel that the experience was worthwhile and that I learned a lot culturally, but I do not feel like it accomplished the things I expected in terms of academics. I feel like I was able to apply the things I know because of marketing classes I have taken in the past but if I hadn't taken those classes then I don't see much of the relevance to it being a "business" study abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

Great locations!

* Food:

We were told many more meals were going to be provided. The meals that were provided were nowhere near what they were presented to be. I ended up spending way more money on food than I expected to.

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200-$300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan on spending more than you plan on spending!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* 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?
  • Experiencing foreign culture in general.
  • Talking to such inspiring and creative people.
  • Getting to know people that I didn't know before.
* What could be improved?
  • Communication between director and students.
  • Relevance of appointments.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more of what was going to be expected of us as students while we were over there. I didn't feel like an independent adult so much as a student on a field trip. As a 23 year old woman it was a little frustrating being looked after as a child.