Even better than I expected! And less pricey than I anticipated Past Review
By Amanda M (Accounting, Northern Illinois University) - abroad from 01/26/2019 to 01/10/2019 with
International Business Seminars: Winter Europe
I learned how America is perceived by other countries, and how similar we really can be to other countries. I gained an understanding of myself and what I want to do when I start my full-time job (work overseas! maybe Germany?) And found that while people are very opinionated about America, we are not hated as much as I thought. I feel a lot more pride for my country upon returning and in addition, am more open to living abroad some day!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There were a variety of perspectives made available to us by consultants and business leaders throughout the seminar, and while the paper I had to write to get class credit seemed long at first I ended up writing more pages than was required. I didn't realize just how much I learned until I sat to write, the words just flew out of my fingers! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The leaders were incredible at keeping us all together when we needed to be together for business visits and safe when something unexpected happened. If anyone had a medical problem or lost a passport, multiple leaders were at hand to address the situation quickly to ensure a positive outcome. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The hotels were greater than I imagined for this price point! Sometimes internet was spotty here and there, but there was Wi-Fi connection in the hotels at all times though sometimes I had to sit across the room or visit the lounge for a stronger connection. |
| * Food: |
My favorite food on the seminar was in London. The hotels are always in convenient areas to grab snacks for the hotel room in between meals and a variety of restaurants for people with all different taste buds, but London in particular was my favorite because of the cultural variety. If traditional fish and chips is your thing that is everywhere, but there are little pockets of international communities everywhere making it easy for anyone to have a happy stomach. I found myself in Chinatown repeatedly due to the discover of a Xao Long Bao restaurant that I could not get enough of! I recommend the sushi attached to the hotel at Paddington station as well!!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
While we had to be on guard in Paris, France (French people keep to themselves for the most part, and pickpockets run wild in this beautiful city making it difficult to trust anyone who approaches you) I felt very welcome in every other city and in Germany, found myself in conversation and laughter with local people all the time! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
A couple students showed up on the first day of our seminar with a cold that got passed around for the first couple days, but fortunately a pharmacy was attached to our hotel and after everyone stocked up on Vitamin C and Thermaflu we were good to go! Seminar leaders were always available to ensure everyone was feeling healthy and available to figure out logistics for a hospital visit if necessary (it wasn't necessary, but I felt good knowing that they had a plan in case). The leaders are also very accommodating to students who are displaying flu symptoms and cannot make a business visit (I was unable to attend the Parliament in London) and I was provided with alternative options to ensure I can get a strong grade on my Master's paper. |
| * Safety: |
Before arriving in any city, we were given a quick debrief on the city's current safety environment and told what to do in case of emergencies. The leaders had their phones on at all times and were available to us if we felt unsafe to help us get to a situation that was better for us. Beware of pickpockets in France! We were thankfully warned by our leaders about this common scam, and those who attempted to distract students to make them vulnerable to pickpocketing were met with educated and aware students who successfully avoided anything being stolen from them. Germany and The Netherlands are particularly safe, and I often saw bicycles without locks on them and expensive dogs waiting outside stores for their owners which told me the locals obviously felt comfortable trusting people around them. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
I did not drink any alcohol while on the seminar, so I came home under budget. I expected the food to be expensive (Chicago priced) but it was not! There were many cheap options (even healthy!) and I found myself spending much less on necessities than I had anticipated. The shopping is amazing though, so I made up for my lack in budgeted food money there haha! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 300/week including food, medicine, and other necessities |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Anticipate to purchase your own lunch and dinner most days, but if you are frugile you can stretch your money out very nicely by hitting up restaurants that aren't as expensive. There are plenty of meals for under $10 and if you have a sharp eye or don't mind planning ahead you can find even cheaper meals. I spoiled myself a little in Chinatown in London and ate more Xao Long Bao than I should have! But where else can I get dumplings that good without going to the Yu Gardens??? |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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? | I know now that it is very rainy in Europe this time of year and I need a waterproof coat, and I wish I know that. I also wish I knew five common phrases in each language before I arrived in each country instead of trying to learn them on the fly. The locals respond so kindly to someone trying to speak their language! Even just a hello, thank you, you're welcome, and of course "I don't speak _____" (fill in the blank with the language of the person you are speaking to). It is really charming to tell someone in their own language that you don't speak their language, and people are very warm (even most of the French!) when you try to meet them where they are instead of acting like you don't care about their language. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
