Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

AWESOME Past Review

By (FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES., Berea College) - abroad from 06/28/2013 to 08/17/2013 with

ISA Study Abroad in Florianopolis, Brazil

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Have fun whatever is going on in the situations

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

the program description of "intensity" was related to the hours not the academic level.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There were some expensive we did not know of until we arrived to the country

* 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? 50$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? over-budget and research to see if the country you are going to will host the world cup soon, this tends to increase many expenses.

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? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Food
  • Excursions
  • Friends
* What could be improved?
  • Communitcation about expenses
  • time in class
  • communication about seasons
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that it would be winter and cold.

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!