Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best semester of my life Past Review

By (Animation and Motion Media, Emerson College) - abroad from 01/17/2013 to 04/17/2013 with

Emerson College: Kasteel Well: The Netherlands

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about who I was and how I wanted to carry myself going forward, and I came to terms with some parts of myself that I had been previously struggling with prior to my experience

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

* 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

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? 50-100 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Travel with a budget in hand, it will save you from overspending and underspending.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The staff
  • The people I met
  • The opportunity to travel
* What could be improved?
  • Food (especially variety)
  • Orientation week (more icebreakers)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had known more about budgeting, and that I could have used it more efficiently while I was abroad.