Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Gaining independence Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/12/2019 to 08/11/2019 with

CET Shanghai

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think the biggest gain from my experience abroad is independence. I grew to care less about what people thought of me, in other words gained confidence. Now I think I can work and live in almost any country and have the confidence to adapt and build meaningful relationships while there.

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?

* 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

Although there may be things I would choose to do differently, I would still choose the same program because the experiences I gained in China I think were only attainable in China and will be useful for the rest of my life.

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? approximately $50-100/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Instead of going to the tourist trap restaurants, ask your roommate where the cheap local restaurants are or go with your roommate.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Chinese 20
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? Use it with the locals!

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

  • Americans
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?
  • People/friends
  • Professors
  • Travel
* What could be improved?
  • Living condition
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew a little more about my internship placement before I got there. However, it was also fun to jump into a situation I knew nothing about so there is not much I wish I knew before going.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.