Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Turkey was a life changing and eye opening expirence. Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 05/07/2012 to 05/31/2012 with

Berea College: Istanbul - Middle Eastern Cultures: Religion and Arts in Context

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a deeper understanding not only of other cultures, but of my own as well. It taught me that I do not want to live in America all my life. I want to travel and live abroad for at least a little while. This expirence opened my eyes to the world. It was one of the most worthwhile things I've done in my life.

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

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

* 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? $0-10

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Use the language with all the people you can. If you make a friend, don't be afraid to ask them to teach you some of the language and to speak it with you instead of your first language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The flexibility of schedule
  • The encouragement to communicate with locals
  • Learning through sight not just listening
* What could be improved?
  • Language courses before departure
  • More about money, what is a reasonable price and what is not
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Our instructors taught us a lot about the culture and the history of Turkey. I'm glad I learned a lot of it where I could actually see it. I wish I had known more of the language so I could have communicated better with the locals. Perhaps a course of Turkish could have been offered the semester before we went, that way we would have had more time to study and learn the language.