Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An immersive cultural experience in Austria's beautiful countryside September 10, 2022

By (Music, Berea College) - abroad from 05/27/2022 to 06/28/2022 with

KIIS: Bregenz - Experience Bregenz (Summer)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about the comparable and contrasting aspects of European culture vs. American culture. I had many great conversations with Austrians about how our cultures compared.

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?

I had to visit the hospital because of an accident. It was easy, fast, and efficient!

* Safety:

I felt very safe walking alone at night in Bregenz.

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

I loved feeling immersed in the culture of Austria by living with host families in such a small town. Enriching experiences were always accessible, and our program directors were great guides.

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)

If I had not received a monetary academic award before leaving the country, I would not have had enough money to pay for meals and other daily expenses.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I took out about $200 from the ATM every other week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would recommend that you pack a little more than the absolute bare minimum, I had to spend money on things I neglected to pack.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • the beautiful setting
  • living with host families
  • the schedule of courses balanced with free time to explore
* What could be improved?
  • the course pace?
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I should learn conversational German!

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'