Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME Past Review

By (Journalism., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 01/31/2013 to 04/30/2013 with

Brigham Young University: Germany Internships and Language Study

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about myself than anything. I learned to live (in a foreign country!) by myself, cope with struggles by myself, get things done by myself, do scary things by myself. The list goes on and on. It was hard to get out of my comfort zone and embrace an entirely new culture, but in the end, I gained so much valuable experience.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around $100

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* 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?
  • FOOD! (German chocolate. Enough said.)
  • Independence - Being able to do what I wanted, when I wanted (for the most part).
  • The friends I made!
* What could be improved?
  • Housing - way too far away from the jobsite.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I definitely wish I had learned German, but it's totally possible to get around without it. I wish I had known what my internship entailed, and I wish I had known how far away the apartment was from work. I didn't anticipate spending 3 hours/day on trains and buses....

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.'