Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An amazing experience! Past Review

By (San Diego State University) - abroad from 05/27/2019 to 06/10/2019 with

San Diego State University: Liberal Studies in Thailand, Hosted by the Asia Institute

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about Thai culture, politics, history, education, and ecology. I gained a better understanding of how cultures vary in subtle yet important ways.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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

The program was absolutely everything I wanted out of it! I saw a beautiful environment, interacted with elephants, practiced teaching English as a second language, experienced unfamiliar cultures, and learned a lot!

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you want to save money, don't buy souvenirs. I could have gotten away with spending less than 1000 baht with this program, but I spent a few hundred dollars on 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? 5 years of Spanish, not used in Thailand
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? The Thai people appreciated when I put effort into pronunciation and following cultural norms. You will make people very happy if you show that you are making effort!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Elephants
  • Village visits
  • Fun activities
* What could be improved?
  • "Family style" meals
  • N/A
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I'm not sure.

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.