Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Exceptional, Formative, Life-Changing Experience Past Review

By (Biology, General., Northwestern College) - abroad from 08/20/2009 to 12/18/2009 with

Northwestern College: Romania Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely worthwhile. I was shaped, molded, and formed with the unique opportunity and experience of the Romania program that ultimately prepared me, motivated me for further education and work experience in community development best practices and biological studies.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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

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? none
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Involvement with Organization - New Horizons
  • Structured Learning and Course Material
  • Opportunity and Time given for host family, cross-cultural immersion
* What could be improved?
  • More diverse classes, different professors
  • A larger emphasis on Romanian language before/during course - so that students can be more involved in summer camp/IMPACT groups
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How important a basic understanding of the language is to learning/participating in the study abroad course.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.