Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Amazing Experience! Past Review

By (molecular biology and anthropology, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 01/15/2015 to 05/16/2015 with

IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad opens your eyes to an entirely new way of looking at how the world thinks. It was great hearing local Austrians comment on the way America is run, for example. I also really appreciate how much German I've been able to learn!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? €90, not including extra travel

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? Beginner
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? None
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? Find ways to meet local people - get a language buddy, join a sport club... many people even utilized Tinder for this purpose!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Fantastic location
  • Friendly and helpful staff
  • Travel opportunities
* What could be improved?
  • Some classes very lecture based
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You don't need to be great at German to practice it - everyone around you speaks German, so you can practice every time you so much as walk into the store! (Almost everyone also speaks English, so even if you have no German experience, you have nothing to worry about!)

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!