Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I learned to be an adult with a little help from my friends. Past Review

By (Political Communication, Emerson College) - abroad from 08/29/2012 to 12/15/2012 with

Emerson College: Washington, D.C. - The Washington Center

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, the programs provided by TWC were pointless because they catered to the lowest common denominator so those of us who already knew how to write a resume or cover letter found ourselves bored at times, but the friends I found and the experiences I decided to seek on my own were amazing.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The class offered by Emerson was the only valuable aspect at the Washington Center

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I liked my roommate a lot, but they clearly did not take any of my roommate requests/housing preferences into consideration

* Food:

We provided all our own food...

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

They really pushed the civic engagement project, but that was mainly sticking with other TWC interns anyway. They didn't encourage going out and finding our own things to do, so I went and found them myself, and it seemed like I was one of the only people to do so.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

They told us basic city safety tips like don't walk down a dark alley at night...nothing too spectacular.

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)

DC is EXPENSIVE. My parents ended up sending me $200/mo in addition to the money I brought because of transportation and food.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a lunch for work every day and don't start a tab at the bars.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* 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?
  • My internship
  • Contacts I made
  • Social aspect
* What could be improved?
  • take housing requests into consideration
  • cater speakers and events to specific programs, it's hard to please a whole crowd of 400 people
  • have higher standards for the people admitted
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? bring a bike, transportation ate a hole in my wallet.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.