Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Apricots. Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 05/23/2019 to 09/22/2019 with

KIIS: Bregenz - Experience Bregenz (Summer)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I've learned from traveling abroad of the immense potential of growth that exposure to foreign environments offers on every level of one’s personality. My time traveling domestically and abroad has helped shape me into the sort of determined, inquisitive, and empathetic person that I have become. Rarely, with such experiences, are the personal and professional benefits immediately evident. But with the benefit of hindsight, it becomes clear to me how central my experiences traveling are to my personal life and my professional development. Whether I’m working on a class assignment or helping lead my staff at the school newspaper, I can look back to my travels and know that it is there that I learned the too-often underappreciated skills that have come to shape and define my life for the better.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

Many of us had food poisoning at the end of the program (by no fault of the program leaders) and we were all offered the option of going to a hospital for treatment. I chose not to as I wanted to get on the flight home, but it was nice knowing that the option was free and accessible if that is what I wanted.

* Safety:

Some more information on traveling, on the free weekends especially, would have been helpful.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Spend on experiences, not souvenirs.

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? 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? N/A

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Free travel weekends
  • experiential classes
  • learning some of the language
* What could be improved?
  • better communication with plans
  • more flexible meal plan
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, I'm glad it all was a surprise.

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!