Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

By far the best experience of my life. A trip of a lifetime with no regrets! Past Review

By (Speech Language Pathology, University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 05/13/2013 to 05/27/2013 with

ISC Paris Business School: Paris - Business Seminar, Exchange Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so many new cultural things I was previously unaware of. Being emerged in their culture makes your realize how different other people live based off where they live. I learned that in France socializing at dinner is very important and they seem to live a more laid back life style than we do in the US. It's trip was definitely worth while

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* 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? About $150

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
  • 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?
  • The group I was with. We had a great professor (dr.Zwanzinger)
  • My host mom
  • Having the freedom to do some things on our own while abroad
* What could be improved?
  • UNI's communication on the financial aspect. Mad at how when we signed up they said one price And the. They gave us the exact budget sheet of it being $1000 above cost after it was too late to back out. I feels cheated out of money and didn't financially prepare for a $1000 price change.
  • Having the host families know we could not speak French so we could have had families who knew more English
  • Less free time in some small towns where we began to get bored
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I could have spoke the 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 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!