Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning to understand personal, family, and national culture. Past Review

By (Brigham Young University) - abroad from 01/05/2013 to 04/10/2013 with

Brigham Young University: Traveling - New Zealand Elementary Education Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to better understand other people, and how to deal with people when their culture (not necessarily national--the culture of my American room mate) is different than my own.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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? $20

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Other
* 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?
  • South Island Trip
  • Practicum
  • Social Studies course
* What could be improved?
  • Different host families
  • Less out of pocket money on trip
  • More structure in Practicum
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not everything we did was covered by the program, even when we did it all together.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!