Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Make amazing new friends from all over the Middle East! Past Review

By (Architecture., Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge) - abroad from 09/16/2012 to 05/30/2013 with

American University of Sharjah: Sharjah - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Everyone has a story. Listen, share, grow.

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.

The courses were challenging but not as rigorous as my home university.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The architecture program made it extremely easy to make local friends and feel included. I believe that all design programs would feel this way.

* 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)

about $70/week

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The students made school and traveling a lot of fun.
* What could be improved?
  • I love IXO (international exchange office), but I think too many of the international students relied on IXO to make friends and solve all of their problems. Study abroad should be a time to learn independence and to take initiative. A little tough love from IXO might help.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The diversity of cultures within the program was amazing and I had no idea that there would be such a range of students within different family obligations and religious opinions.

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!