Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A difficult but ultimately rewarding journey Past Review

By (Architectural History and Criticism., Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/21/2013 to 05/09/2013 with

IES Abroad: Siena - IES Abroad Center

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
i learned to rely on myself and become more comfortable with being on my own. i had to travel on my own, i had to make my own food, and i had to live on my own. this experience gave me the confidence to depend on myself.

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.

* 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)

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Italian 30A
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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 administrators were very supportive
  • the other members of the program
  • location
* What could be improved?
  • the classes were terrible
  • there should be more program wide activities to bring together the members
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's going to be much harder than people actually imagine it being, and they should prepared for it. You're truly on your own, even when you do find a support system in your program. You're leaving you're entire life behind it's going to be difficult at times. But in the end it's worth it.