I changed my major to marketing because of this trip!! Past Review

By (Business Marketing, Utah Valley University) - abroad from 05/01/2012 to 05/21/2012 with

Utah Valley University: Traveling - Business Marketing

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Heck ya it was worthwhile, 9 credits in 3 weeks is a great deal!! sure it might be alittle more expensive than a college semester but your having class in a foreign country while sightseeing and enjoying the culture isn't it worth it? I thought so, I was able to learn so much. I went on the trip initially to accompany my sister who is studying marketing and fashion. But I came away with a greater knowledge of marketing and how important it is in business to be able to market your product to a consumer. After the trip I changed my major to marketing because where Im going into business I think it could really help me learn how to be more success in my career someday

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.

First off I thought it was planned very well. Almost every day we had appointments set up with things to do abd see. We ourselves were given some free time to go and explore and see things that were interesting to us. We learning through experiences not just sitting in a classroom reading about it.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I think our instructor did an awesome job. She did her absolute best to make sure we were busy, on time and having a good experience. She was not there to baby sit us. It was basically a professional job enviroment we had meetings and were expected to be there on time. Some of the students took advantage of how kind and outgoing our instructor was and she had to put them in their place. Some complained and showed disrepect towards her but she held it together and did her best. She handeled it very well and if an apointment fell through she either tried to fit something in or gave us suggestions of things we could go see on our own time.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

After living in a third world country for two years you learn to apprieciate the basics. The hotels were good especially in Paris. You have to realize that hotels in europe are not going to be like hotels here in the United States. They are smaller but get the job done. If you want some high end, roomy, extra fluffy matress hotel you are going to pay for it. So do to the cost versus quality we got a great deal.

* Food:

The food was expensive in both London and Paris. But what do you expect when you eat out every night in a foreign country? Not to mention the exchange rate but think about this would you rather go to the store and make pb and jelly sandwhichs to save money or pay the money and enjoy the experience. The food is a important part of the culture and I loved the food. The fish and chips in london and the crepes in Paris. It was great. The hotel in Paris provided all the meals free so that was nice. In london we got toast and oj free and if you wanted something more you can buy it.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

In london you can just feel the culture around you, the way the people talk, the food, the smells. One of the things that made me feel most integrated was using the local transportation systems. One of my favorite things about the whole trip was riding the subways around. I think that brought me the closest to thier culture and made me feel like I was one of them.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didnt have to go to the hospital or anything but a girl from our group did because she wasnt feeling well and they got her right in and took care of her

* Safety:

I didnt feel indangered at any time.

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)

well if your going to eat out every day than no it would not be easy, especially in London. In Paris where all the meals were included that yes its possible.

* 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? $300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? try to limit eating out, especially if your hotel provides free meals

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

It wasnt a language program but our instructor knew some french and would speak with locals when she needed to. Before the trip I didnt know any french but I got a french app on my phone and by the end of the trip I was suprised at how many things I could pick up

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? for french none
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? take a class before going and while there try to use it as much as possible. And dont worry about making mistakes most people even try and help you with what you are trying to say. they think its cool you are trying to speak their language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • For me I was alittle skepticle because I honestly didnt know anything about marketing and fashion. But I came away with a better knowledge of marketing and all the things that are included with sale of that product from start to finish.
  • For me just being there and seeing it in person was the best part.
  • I thought it was great that we werent required to do homework or assignments while their. Our only requirment was to soak it in and learn from the places we went as well as the culture.
* What could be improved?
  • I think if the program was expanded to other places of marketing as well as fashion your pool of students would grow espeically among men haha At first it was hard for me to go around to clothes stores and look but when I realized everthing else that was going on behind the scences it became fun to compare stores and stratigies. Some students complained that we only went to the high dollar stores but nobody cares about the no name brands. People only recognize the real deal such as Louis Vuitton and what we saw was the real deal and how they made it big and what marketing stratgies got them there
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? nothing because it would have ruined how much fun I had getting to know these countries and cultures