Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Peak of my life September 28, 2023

By (Math, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/15/2022 to 12/15/2023 with

Sea|mester: S/Y Argo - Global Voyages

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned how to be uncomfortable and live a lifestyle like no other

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.

Courses were amazing and interesting, wasn't too rigorous though

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Amazing, loving, and helpful staff

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived on a sailboat, absolutely incredible

* Food:

We cooked all of our own food, tasted amazing, way too many beans and chickpeas

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Didn't fully integrate with the local culture we visited

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Though I never needed healthcare, those that did got what they needed

* Safety:

Felt very safe, living on a sailboat and crossing oceans is never fully safe though

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

Best experience of my life. Travelled the world on a sailboat

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)

Food was covered by our provisioner. Spent most of my money on food off the boat but not too frequently. Other money was spent on souvenirs

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~200-300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't spend all of your money

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Living on a boat
  • The people
  • Exploring the world
* What could be improved?
  • better food
  • more time to rest
  • na
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I would never want to leave

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

oceanography
Course Department: Marine Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging but extremely insightful and engaging. We had papers and lots of homework. Attended every class. Teacher was extremely knowledgable and passionate
Credit Transfer Issues: Credits haven't been transferred yet. Having issues with this
Course Name/Rating:

Marine Biology
Course Department: Marine science
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging but super fun and I learned a lot. We did many research projects in the water, extremely hands on. Exams and homework. Participated frequently.
Credit Transfer Issues: Credits not transferred yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Seamenship
Course Department: marine
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Learned so much about how to be an operational crew member on a yacht. Learned lots about yacht safety. We were always learning as we were always on the boat. Teachers were extremely prepared.
Credit Transfer Issues: Credits not transferred
Course Name/Rating:

leadership
Course Department: leadership
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Learned many leadership skills. Engaged in fun and stimulating leadership activities. Instructor was passionate, well-prepared and engaged. Participated frequently. Assessed with homework assignments and hands on activities.
Credit Transfer Issues: Credits not transferred