Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning Finance with a Mediterranean Flare Past Review

By (Vanderbilt University) - abroad from 05/25/2019 to 07/06/2019 with

iXperience Tel Aviv – Summer Course and Internship in Finance or Data Science

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a better cultural understanding. It was very worthwhile.

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.

The investment finance course was great. The teacher was the best teacher I've ever had and I learned way more than any university course. It started out basic going over accounting and ending with a private equity cash flow waterfall which is MBA level work. The teacher was there to help with everything though.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived in a very fun hostel in Tel Aviv. The rooms were more like a hotel, but there were events going on every night.

* Food:

We had to pay for all of our own food, but there was the option to eat breakfast and lunch for free at the hostel.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We were not "babied" or "sheltered" at all. We interacted with locals every day and got to really understand Israeli culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I went to the hospital once because I tripped and cut my leg. The ER was better than expected in a foreign country.

* Safety:

Very safe. The city is way more safe than most people imagine.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

What made the difference with this program was the teachers. They taught me finance in a way no teacher has done before. I actually enjoyed learning and after class we all had fun.

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)

Food is expensive, as in any big city. But you find ways to work around it.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 180
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you have a kitchen, buy basic food you can make. Like pasta and sandwiches. You don't need to go out every meal.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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 class
  • The people
  • The food
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To embrace every moment because it goes by fast.

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.