Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great but could be improved Past Review

By (Public Health., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 09/21/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

Brigham Young University: European Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Each culture has something different to offer that we must learn to appreciate. Yes, it was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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?

I think it would have been better to have host families to really get into the culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I went to the minor injuries dept. of a hospital on multiple occassions and was taken care of without questions of my ability to pay although I had health insurance. The limited number of doctors listed in my insurance program (HTH) were not available (not taking new patients), and inconveniently spread outside of the city.

* 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? $60

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • Greater political understanding
  • Exposure to another culture
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • Preparation for more practical matters like housing information (very different technical issues than ours--a nightmare)
  • One day less at the internship (depending on MSP. Monday's and Friday's required limited work and most days didn't make use of my skills), this would allow more time for our school work and offer more time for cultural exposure
  • Better placement with MSP according to our interests
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Set goals for the internship beforehand and talk to my MSP in the beginning to make use of the short time.

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.