Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unique semester full of opportunities to travel and have new experiences Past Review

By (Washington University in Saint Louis) - abroad from 02/19/2016 to 06/27/2016 with

IES Abroad: Auckland Direct Enrollment - University Of Auckland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Definitely worthwhile! I learned more about myself and how I interact with different types of situations/people, and I will really take away all of my travel experiences during the semester.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was an easier workload than usual, and easy for me to adjust to the way of teaching there.

* 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 liked the freedom we had to plan most of our own travel, but also the access to an advisor who I felt was always there to answer any questions I had.

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? $200-$250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cooking at home/bringing lunch to school is cheaper

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Having an advisor to help navigate new school
  • Freedom to plan most of trips/choose adventures
  • Gives you a group of people you meet at first and start the year knowing
* What could be improved?
  • More casual group events organized by IES
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Even though the time goes by quickly and feels so temporary, the experience is more rewarding if you are willing to put yourself out there and invest time to trying new things in the beginning.

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.