Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

CIS Abroad is the Best! Past Review

By (Johnson & Wales University) - abroad from 12/27/2018 to 04/10/2019 with

CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Bangkok - Semester in Thailand

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned and gained an understanding of Southeast Asian Culture and really learned to understand and appreciate the importance of keeping an open mind when traveling.

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

Chuie was the best! He helped plan out most of our activities and field trips while abroad.

* 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

CIS helped along the way with actives, questions, and trips.

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)

Thailand is very inexpensive especially coming from the US

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent between 50-75$ a week excluding travel.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Start saving a few months before and do research into the fair price for different things so you can be well prepared upon arrival.

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

Our Thai lessons from CIS helped us get around the first few days.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
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? Sophomore Year High School Italian
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? Using it around your home area of Salaya

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • The Trips set up by staff
  • The food
  • The area we lived in
* What could be improved?
  • The responsiveness of some staff
  • The explanation of certain trips
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had a more open mind and a little more patience regarding Thai culture

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.