Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

What it means to be an active member of this world Past Review

By (Music., Northwestern College) - abroad from 08/26/2007 to 12/08/2007 with

Northwestern College: Romania Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned firsthand that people from different cultures see the world differently, approach problems and solutions differently, and that different isn't bad. This has proved to be extremely useful while living and working in our ever-connected world. And due to the unique component of working with local IMPACT clubs, I left Romania empowered to come home and be an active member of society, starting in my own community.

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?

* 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)

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

Staying with a host family was the best thing for language acquisition!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Don't be afraid to make mistakes and laugh at yourself--after all, that's how young children learn to speak.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Experiential education/using the outdoors as a classroom
  • partnering with local IMPACT clubs
  • living with a Romanian host family
* What could be improved?
  • language classes--though I suspect there have been major changes made since I went in 2007
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? save up some money to do a little traveling around the country on free weekends

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.'