Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Impacting and life changing Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 03/01/2013 to 06/21/2013 with

API (Academic Programs International): Buenos Aires - Universidad de Belgrano

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Language skills - interpersonal relations skills. Very worthwhile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were boring but I doubled my Spanish ability

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Carmen is the best on-site administrator in the world.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My relationship with my host mother was one of the most important parts of my experience, and it was an awesome relationship

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Lots of people (not including myself) got sick, and the on-site administrator (Carmen) took care of it very well.

* Safety:

Overall safety was not a concern, but petty crime like theft was prominent.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? no

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? SPA 401
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International 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?
  • Small group size = community feel
  • Cultural events
  • Intensity of relationships
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? nothing

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!