Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing, worth every penny, would do it again in a heartbeat! Past Review

By (Anthropology/Archaeology, University of California - Merced) - abroad from 01/28/2012 to 06/04/2012 with

Bilkent University: Ankara - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about a whole new set of peoples, ideas, and religion. The program taught me that the USA is not the center of the world and that there are people from all around the world that share and do not share similar views of the world.

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.

* 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? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The grocery store will save a lot of money. Do not eat out every meal.

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? Conversational Spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Get into the city and start talking to people. They will be very excited that a foreigner wants to learn their language and they will try to help. Most of the time. Just start using it.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The culture shock.
  • The language.
  • The Turkish people in general.
* What could be improved?
  • Communication between institutions.
  • Information dissemination to students.
  • Course transfer back to the USA.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Half my courses would not count for what I was told they would count for.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'