Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A good experience Past Review

By (English And Communications, Fordham University) - abroad from 02/11/2013 to 07/21/2013 with

Boston University: Dresden - Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely a necessary way to understand a culture. Your language improves much more than could ever be possible in american foreign language courses.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Administration at the TUD is absolutely useless and infuriating. It was also incredibly difficult to integrate into the university life

* 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?

N/A, no experience with local healthcare system

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about $200-300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? be careful when traveling

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? B2 level german language
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? integrate, make local friends

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Program administration/Staff
  • City
  • Cheap cost of living
* What could be improved?
  • Poor academic experience
  • Dorm situation not very good
  • Difficult to integrate with locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Learn as much of the language as possible before leaving. I slacked off and didn't practice before I left and it made my first few months more difficult than they should have been.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.