Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Education was really international Marketing and Consumer Behavior Past Review

By (Marketing., Utah Valley University) - abroad from 05/02/2012 to 08/22/2012 with

Utah Valley University: Traveling - Business Marketing

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
When I was growing up I always had teachers in elementary school, junior High, and High School telling me information that I needed to learn. What this program taught my was my own responsability to learn and educate myself and the resources available. If I always take this approach then I can never blame anyone for my lack of learning.

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.

We visited Hamleys Toy Store and spent two hours learning about the marketing strategies form Operations and Support Manager Andrew Evenden. We also visited with top designers like Prudence Millinery and Alain LaLou. I would say that the best learning experience was on consumer behavior, I personally would never spend $1,200 for a handbag from Louis Vuitton but as we toured the actual factory where it's all made you learn why people purchase them at such a high dollar amount.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The appointments were very organized and it was nice to have a travel itinerary so I could really take advantage of my experience.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was great in both London and Paris. It was very close to all the main attractions and it didn't take long to get to where you needed. By the way the one thing I learned about Europe is that a single bed is just that a single twin size bed not like the full size beds in America.

* Food:

The food was good but bring a lot of money because it's a little expensive. I really didn't have to spend a lot on food in Paris because it was included with our hostel but to give you an example I ordered a Coke at a restaurant and it was $7. Ouch!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Learning about the culture was very interesting because I never really thought about how people in other culturally wants and interest could be so different from our own in the USA.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The health care was great and we had an experience where someone from our group needed medical attention and was able to get the care she needed. The insurance that the school provided was fantastic.

* Safety:

The whole time I never felt like I was in danger in anyway.

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 went through online before the trip and figured out all the cost before hand so that made it really nice because I wasn't completely shocked at all. If I didn't want to spend a lot the small markets close by at each location was awesome. You can get great sandwiches for £1.50 wich is about $2.15 American.

* 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? $40 - 50 a week. So not much but I am cheap.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to the markets not the big restraunts. The restraunts target travelers with a lot of money so think like a local or even ask some of the locals.

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

We were instructed to learn some of the basics of communication before we left.

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Learn some of the basics and bring an iPad with a translator it helps big time.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International 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?
  • It was very organized and we visited with some top executives I would have most likely never met.
* What could be improved?
  • The students attitude. I think a lot of the students were waiting for someone to teach them when they really needed to take some responsabiliy for thier own education.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have studied up on our appointments before I went on them and If I were to do it over I would have studied up one each appointment the day before so when we got there I could have gained a lot more. I herd a few students after the program say we never visited with any executives like we were told we would, but the truth is we visited with a lot of top executives, owners, top designers and Marketing Managers.