Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Impossible. Past Review

By (History, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/08/2015 to 05/15/2015 with

IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Besides the incredible amount of history and culture I learned from the 15 countries I visited, I learned most about myself. Being away from everything, I learned who I truly am and what I value. Most of all, I learned to have confidence. After all, if I can do this, I can do anything.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Vienna has the best variety of local food anywhere. Better than Italy, Turkey, Greece, anywhere else.

* 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)

I spent too much.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? If I didn't travel, about 50 euro.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't worry about it too much, it'll ruin the fun. Keep an eye out for free things, don't get scammed (there are a lot of scammers), and be a smart shopper (I made it a point to find the cheapest place in Vienna to buy certain things).

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 361
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? Talk all the time. I talk to myself in my languages, and that keeps it fresh. Weird, but it works.

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Center Staff.
  • Beautiful Vienna
  • Travel opportunities.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
  • Nothing
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew just how well it was going to turn out so that I could reassure my nervous December self that it will all be okay.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!