Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Rewarding, unforgettable adventure Past Review

By (Human Resources Management, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs) - abroad from 05/25/2015 to 06/29/2015 with

International Business Seminars: Summer Europe

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Self confidence Understanding of different cultures speaking skills European train systems It was worthwhile, the experience of a lifetime.

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.

This Study is very intense, you never have a dull minute. The academic rigor comes more after you get back home and are writing the paper.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone knew what they were doing, it was well organized and most of the business hosts were very excited to have us there.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The hotels that we stayed in were amazing. Always in a great location right next to all of the action in the city, and always very clean and nice hotel staff. Easily some of the nicest hotels I have ever stayed in. Huge selection for breakfasts.

* Food:

You are responsible for feeding your self. We would eat out almost every meal except breakfast, all of the hotels provided breakfast. It is not hard to find a cheap place close to your hotel to eat at or even a grocery store if you want to have some snacks for while you are traveling.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Most people were very nice and helpful. Be careful if you are in Munich during the World Cup, everyone is drunk and pumped up.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My roommate got bitten by a bug and her whole leg swelled up so much that she couldn't walk. Our professors took her to a hospital twice, one time one of our business hosts even went with them to translate at the hospital which was very nice of him. She eventually got better but they did give her shots that she was supposed to administer to herself in her own stomach twice a day which is something I had never seen before.

* Safety:

Most cities are very safe. The only time you have to worry about being careful is in the subway late at night or if you are in Munich when the World Cup is going on. Many locals told us to stay inside during the night of the World Cup. We thought that we could handle it since it was a group of 7 of us, but after seeing some of the riots we decided to go back to our hotel.

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)

Places such as Prague are much more affordable on a budget, Innsbruck was more expensive. Keep this in mind when budgeting money, also not all countries use the same currency so don't plan on pulling it out all at once.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about 300 but we went out to drink every night of the week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Spend your money while you are there, you don't want to come back and regret not buying something or missing out on something because it was too expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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?
  • Traveling to different countries instead of just staying in one
  • Instead of going to class we went out into the professional world and met with business professionals
  • We stayed in very nice hotels and the professors gave us a huge amount of freedom
* What could be improved?
  • Make it a week longer so that we can spend an extra day or two in each of the countries
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Your shampoo is almost certainly going to explode onto the only suit that you brought. BE CAREFUL

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.