Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A successful glimpse. Past Review

By (Theatre, Trinity University) - abroad from 03/25/2012 to 08/13/2012 with

CIEE: Tokyo - Arts and Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how not to panic when I get lost. I learned to read body language much better and to interact with people whom I don't share a language with.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff were extremely friendly, open, and helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

There was a feeling of community engendered between many of the people living there. The manager also helped to foster this community.

* Food:

I mostly ate out on my own, the food at CIEE events was very good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't actually get that integrated but that was mostly my own responsibility since I was living the dorm.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The doctor recommended to me by the program was helpful if expensive.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? A good amount.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook, or make friends with people who cook.

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Introductory
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? It's all about meeting people.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Friendliness of the staff
  • Trip to Hiroshima
  • other excursions, like to Mad House studios
* What could be improved?
  • a certain professional degree of readiness
  • I did not feel that all meetings were necessary
  • academics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Firstly, that I would need to be up at 7 every morning to make it to a required 9 o'clock class. I didn't mind the commute, I did mind the required class being that early. I was eventually dealing with health issues that made it difficult for me to function on that schedule.

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!