CIS Abroad is the Best! Past Review
By Jeremy Breakstone (Johnson & Wales University) - abroad from 12/27/2018 to 04/10/2019 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Bangkok - Semester in Thailand
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
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* 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. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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
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* 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 |
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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
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * 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 AdventurerThe 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. |
