Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Imagine Indonesia: "I'll never be the same" Past Review

By (Eastern Illinois University) - abroad from 05/15/2015 to 06/13/2015 with

Eastern Illinois University (EIU): Bali & Java - Imagine Indonesia: Discover the Wonders of Bali and Java

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
What I gained from this study abroad trip can't all be put into words. I can say I learned things like: being more accepting and curious of other peoples' culture, feeling more in tune with the world around me, being more conscious of the environment, and to value what you have rather than desire material possessions.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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? Yes

I would be more than happy to choose this same program. I went on the first official study abroad trip there, so there was a lot that my professors wanted to change. It would end up being even better than it was.

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? 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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The area being so unfamiliar made it exciting and mysterious
  • The people were all so kind and just as curious to learn about us as we were them
  • The culture was so rich that I never stopped being interested in the lessons
* What could be improved?
  • The free days were not spent as well as they could've been because of the lack of guidance in the area
  • The places we stayed had bad internet connection - wouldn't have mattered to me except we had homework assignments
  • Try to find a way to space out the activities so that people don't overheat or get sick, because the heat was probably the worst part about the trip
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have kept a blog and/or a journal and wrote everyday. I look back at other students who blog regularly and it would have been a great way to remember key events.

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.