Time of my life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Studying abroad with IBS was one of the best experiences of my life! I always wanted to study abroad but was hesitant to miss an entire semester at The University of Alabama. IBS gave me the opportunity to gain a college credit while traveling throughout Europe all within two weeks. During this trip I networked, learned, and explored 5 beautiful cities with other students and mentors from all over the country. After going on this trip I now have a better understanding of international business and how to adapt to diverse cultures.

On-site administration of your program

The administrators on this trip are part of the reason IBS is so fantastic. Every leader is passionate about their job which makes the program worthwhile. They are all very experienced, knowledgable, and reliable and want students to have the best time possible.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was extremely satisfied with our housing as we stayed in 4-star hotels in ideal locations. Every hotel provided us with free continental breakfast which helped us save money on meals. The hotels also all included wifi, safes, television, and laundry services if needed. It was really nice to come back to a nice clean room with a hot shower after going non stop all day everyday!

One of my favorite parts of traveling is getting the chance to try new foods. It is safe to say I practically ate my way through Europe whether it be eating fish and chips in London, fondue in Paris, or fine chocolates in Geneva. I highly recommend trying the local foods when you go even if you are unsure if you will like it or not.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

After spending 16 days in Europe I truly feel more integrated with the local culture. A main part of getting integrated is not being afraid to step out of your comfort zone. I tried each day to communicate with locals even though they did not speak my language. I also made sure I went to at least one local attraction per day to gain a better appreciation for the beauty of the city and what it has to offer. The more effort you put into getting integrated culturally and socially the more you will get out.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was fortunate enough to not experience any health issues during this program but I am confident I would have been taken care of if anything were to have happened. There are pharmacies all over Europe which are where you can buy over the counter medicine and see a doctor should there be any issues.

Overall I felt extremely safe during my trip to Europe. The instructors go out of their way to explain issues going on such as pickpocketing and tips to avoid them. Yes, it is a real thing but if you are aware of your surroundings you will be fine. After going on this trip I think twice about laying my bags down and am much more alert in public places. We did not have any safety-related issues thankfully.

IBS was exactly what I was looking for in terms of the perfect study abroad experience. I got to travel all over Europe, meet great people, and learn a ton. I would go on this program again if I had the chance to in a heartbeat.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

This trip can go either way depending on what you are looking to do. We visited shopping capitals of the world so if you are looking to shop you obviously will spend some extra money. Most of the museums are pretty reasonable and you can find restaurants to fit your budget.

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• Hotel

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• Other

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• Americans

• Traveling to multiple countries
• Meeting new friends
• Visiting multiple international businesses

• Equal time in each location

The Outright Urbanite