Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life changing September 17, 2025

By (Education, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/26/2025 to 05/10/2025 with

CGEE: Windhoek - Nation-Building, Globalization, and Decolonizing the Mind

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I saw and experienced the culture and lifestyle of people I wouldn't have ever met otherwise. The coursework and subject matter strengthened my perspective on issues in the USA as well.

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? No

I didn't enjoy the people in my cohort and I would have enjoyed a bit more rigorous coursework.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • travelling
  • hospitality of program staff
  • free time
* What could be improved?
  • rigor of courses
  • more conflict resolution training for staff
  • breadth of internship opportunities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I didn't realize how much time I'd be spending with my cohort. It's a very immersive experience and often times you are with these people for most times of the day. I could have better practiced exercising my boundaries.