Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unbelievable. May 10, 2023

By (Political Science and Arabic, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/08/2023 to 04/20/2023 with

CET Jordan

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Friends, language acquisition, food knowledge, new perspectives.

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.

It was a very intense program, including lots of homework and a langauge pledge, but it is truly worth it in the end.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The teachers and program staff are the most attentive people I have ever worked with. I thank CET for choosing great people!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

They housed us in apartments, which made me feel more independent. Our apartment never had any issues, which amplified the greatness of the housing experience.

* Food:

Food at restaurants is amazing, but with your apartment you buy your own food, so it is easy to choose what you would like to eat.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

With the language pledge, I became basically fluent and unafraid to talk to locals. We are also given languge partners who teach us about and expose us to the culture. They provide numerous experiences that result your eventual integration into the culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never needed to utilize healthcare resources, but I always heard from people who used them that they were of the utmost quality.

* Safety:

I feel more safe than I do in the U.S. Hiring a driver whom I did not know never frightened me; this was also the case with taking a taxi and an uber.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Because of the components of the program, you will learn more Arabic from this program than from any other!

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)

Things are expensive, and I sometimes believed I was spending too much money, but experiences were always pleasant.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? N/A

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

We had a language pledge, so we always had to use Arabic in every context. It was the most beneficial Arabic program I have ever experienced.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced Low
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Reach out to people. Ask for help. Take advantage of time with your teachers/professors.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Other students
  • Staff
  • Neighbors
* What could be improved?
  • Amount of homework
  • Number of excursions/whole program activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Since I had been to the country, I did not feel I needed to know anything ahead of 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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.