Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The whole experience was educative, eyeopening and life changing. Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 05/10/2012 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?
My whole experience was the opposite of my initial uncertanity about muslims in general. Turkey having 99% muslim population, I expected people to be unfriendly, but I was surprised by their hospitality. I realized that the picture we some times get from the media is totally different from what happens in reality. I am planning to visit Turkey again in the near future.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Our class comprised of travelling around visiting historical places.
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This was a great life time experience with life time lessons.

* 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? none
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? many places we visited have cheap and expensive restaurants. I would suggest that students shop go around look at different places before buying food.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? I would encourage students to take language classes to increase their skills. The best way to learn a new language is to interact with the locals, talk more, make more mistakes and learn more.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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 opportunity to visit a different country and experience their hospitality.
  • =>The opportunity to visit and appreciate some world class historical places
  • => The opportunity to work together with students with different back grounds and build a strong team.
* What could be improved?
  • => Students need enough time to learn the host country language before their departure
  • => Students should be involved in several team building excercises before their for the trip
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I know more about the history of the country which would make a huge difference in the way I would interact with locals who value their heroes and their contribution to the country.