Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Incredible experience in Finland Past Review

By (Arizona State University) - abroad from 05/13/2017 to 05/27/2017 with

Arizona State University: Education in Finland, hosted by CEPA

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
What I learned simply cannot be summed up in a few sentences but it was a truly incredible experience.

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

Our tour guides were amazing!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

They were nice accomodations and they worked for the program but I would have loved to have a hotel with a larger lobby/meeting point, more variety in breakfast offerings, and a free as opposed to paid sauna.

* Food:

We had two meals included as part of our program and they were both wonderful

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I do feel like there are some aspects of the Finnish culture that we really cannot grasp or understand in a two week period but I do feel that I learned a lot.

* 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

This program was centered around a topic that I am passionate about and was a length that was perfect for me, I would absolutely choose the same program if I were to go back and do it again.

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? I did not keep super close track since I was using cash but I would estimate it to be somewhere in the vicinity of 200 euros per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy granola bars, be okay skipping big group meals if they seem too pricey, ask your tour guides FIRST thing if they know of any inexpensive restaurants in the area of your program.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • The topic
  • The people
  • The activities
* What could be improved?
  • Some dining/ accommodation aspects
  • More time in Finnish versus International schools
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how fast the time would fly by.

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!