Awesome experience, amazing resources! Past Review
By Ally Klein (Drake University) - abroad from 01/18/2019 to 06/16/2020 with
IFSA: Cardiff - University of Cardiff
I learned a lot about making friends, which sounds super cheesy. I had to make an entirely new set of friends, and it was scary at first, but I think I am so much better at talking to people now than I was before! I even feel that I am much more comfortable talking in front of a crowd as well, like I am more confident than I was before! It was so worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Hard main classes for chemistry (organic chemistry and lab specifically) as well as others such as history and english classes, however great resources from IFSA as well as from Cardiff Uni that helped me organize and succeed! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very quick responses from IFSA, especially during the struggle that is registering for classes! It is a little difficult since it is much different from how we register at my home university, but they were there to help and were always quick to answer my questions. They were also very flexible if I had any problems! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living arrangements were not fancy, but they were as expected -- college dorms! Plus we all got our own bathrooms which was lovely! |
| * Food: |
Made my own food while I was there |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Got to stay with students that were local, and not just exchange students which was awesome! I got to meet them and hang out with them, so I got to really experience what was "normal" for them! Along with this, many trips were scheduled, so that we could experience more of the country, which was awesome! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Did not have any experiences with healthcare, but it was emphasized that we would be supported through IFSA if we had a problem! |
| * Safety: |
Occasional problems in the city, but as long as I was with other people I felt very safe. I never experienced any time that I felt really unsafe. Just make sure that you stick with buddies, it is dangerous to travel somewhere you are unfamiliar with by yourself! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IFSA was easy to navigate, and always quick to respond if I had any questions! My abroad semester could not have gone more smoothly. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Other than trips and entertainment, I wouldn't even go to the grocery store once a week, I would go more like once every 2 weeks. I had saved a lot of money before I left, so I was a bit more lax with my spending. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $65 on the higher end |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you have a job, make sure you are putting money aside for savings specifically for your trip before you leave from each paycheck. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That I should have been involved in more clubs/societies while I was there. I made a bunch of really close friends, but I wish I had branched out a little more than I did. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
