Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Most Spectacular Multi-Country Experience Past Review

By (Advertising., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/20/2012 to 07/20/2012 with

Forum-Nexus: Ultimate Summer in Europe - 7 Cities in 1 Month

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that people, while all very far from each other, are more the less the same. It was exciting to meet international studies who were very similar to myself and we all found something to connect about.

Review Photos

Forum-Nexus: Multi-Country Summer Program in Europe Photo Forum-Nexus: Multi-Country Summer Program in Europe Photo

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?

All of the professors travel with you to each country, in which they have traveled before, and they share cultural norms and pivotal information that is important to understand about the country.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

At any time if you were sick, the professors were 100% accommodating. I got motion sickness after being on a boat and the professors were willing to stop our two bus caravan to let me get out, get fresh air, and relieve my sickness. They were also willing to take my friends to the hospital if needed and call in home-visits from doctors.

* Safety:

We were made aware of any security threat in each country and were given plenty of safety tips to ensure our safety throughout the program.

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)

Breakfast was always provided so meal costs were not as expensive as I thought they would be.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $1,500
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save up before! Don't feel the need to buy souvenirs in every country because honestly it's all the same stuff! The stuff you want to spend your money on are excursions, fabulous dinners, and products indigenous to the area.

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

In each country we visisted, we were taught basic words to get us around. We were also taught how to read, write, and understand Greek in one week!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced Spanish
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? Practice conversational words!

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

  • International Students
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?
  • that it went to multiple countries
  • the international students
  • the professional visits
* What could be improved?
  • hotel location
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Buy more comfortable shoes..

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.