Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

New Cultures and Experience Past Review

By (Missouri State University) - abroad from 01/10/2018 to 05/16/2018 with

ISEP Exchange: Sharjah - Exchange Program at American University of Sharjah

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
People of so many different nationalities live in Sharjah - it was very interesting and informative to spend time with so many types of people and different cultures.

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

I had some trouble registering for courses - definitely have at least 7 courses in mind that will transfer back to your home university because by the time we register sometimes courses are full or are held at clashing times.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in on campus in girl's dorms. The rooms themselves were nice but there is a curfew which can be inconvenient.

* Food:

There are many food options on campus but they are mostly fast food. Most people eat fast food or order food to their dorms but personally I just bought food at the Co-op on campus and cooked in the dorm kitchen.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt integrated in the campus culture - this place is "americanized" so there wasn't much of a culture shock.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There is a health clinic on campus - I visited to test my blood type (required for the campus ID card) and once when I was sick. It was a pretty typical clinic - my visit was free.

* Safety:

On and off campus, this is one of the safest places I have ever lived.

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)

Dubai can get very very very expensive if you are not careful with where you eat and how you spend your time. Cooking in the dorms (almost every day) saved me a lot of money, but I still spent about $200 a week on groceries, eating out, transportation, outings, and personal expenses. ISEP provided me with $131 per week to cover food which helped.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? DEFINITELY get a credit card without international fees. 3% really adds up and it applies to money you withdraw from an atm as well.

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

Everyone on campus speaks English - sometimes Arabic speakers helped me with classwork.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Diversity
  • Beautiful Campus
  • Supportive Exchange Office staff
* What could be improved?
  • can be difficult to make arab friends
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have gotten a credit card without international fees

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.