My Sem in the Philippines Past Review

By (Business Administration, Fordham University) for

Ateneo de Manila University: Quezon City - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I really like how Philippine education is very heavy on application. I had many groupworks wherein I was able to apply concepts I learned in the classroom. I appreciated my business electives because I want to be involved in the PHL corporate field in the future.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Workload - manageable... but heavier than Fordham's grading system - letter system (A, B, etc) professors have high standards

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Strengths: The program enabled me to choose business classes that taught me finance, mktg, and management from a local perspective Weaknesses: Regular students were given priority during registration. No special registration for exchange students... So if all the slots are filled, you'd have to choose another class

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived at home. I'm from the PHL and my family lives near Ateneo

* Food:

You can dine in Katipunan Avenue. Food is good and affordable!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Hmm. Not much. Well, for one of my classes, we had a field trip to Subic Freeport Zone. We had site visits to different industry players

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

During the rainy season (June-October), dengue becomes more prevalent. There are some risky areas; just avoid those places. It's usually safe to go to malls

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? Not much... Maybe $5-$10 / day.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cost of living is really cheap in Manila.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • class registration