Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A land of endless snow, reindeer, and licorice flavored everything Past Review

By (Anthropology., Eckerd College) - abroad from 01/02/2013 to 04/25/2013 with

ISEP Exchange: Turku - Exchange Program at University of Turku

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I feel like this experience increased my independence a lot. There is very little program support from ISEP, so you have to jump in, make your own friends, and create your own life. As most all of the friends that you make are going through the same experiences as you, you become your own little family. This program was extremely worthwhile.

Review Photos

ISEP: Turku - University of Turku Photo ISEP: Turku - University of Turku Photo ISEP: Turku - University of Turku Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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?

We lived in student dorms with other international students and finns.

* 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)

Costs start to pile up for food, transportation, entertainment, and going out, especially if you travel throughout Finland and to the surrounding countries often.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would suggest avoiding eating out as much as possible, and to beware of how much money you are spending if going out to clubs on the weekends, as some may have no cover charges while others may have charges up to 20 euros per entrance. It is also very typical that while you are there, part of the experience includes traveling to neighboring countries, which can incur high travel costs.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to 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

  • 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 friendships that I made with other international students
  • The trips organized by the group ERASMUS Turku
  • The snow!!!
* What could be improved?
  • Increased program support from ISEP, especially when getting acclimated
  • A more honest cost assessment
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The costs in Finland were often higher than I anticipated coming from the US, and Finland has an amazing public healthcare system. Also, you can save a lot of money on food by eating at the student cafeterias with your student card, which gives you a very large student discount.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.