Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Do this. Right. Now. Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/08/2013 to 04/25/2013 with

Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
So much. I am world-wise in a way that only direct experience can give. There is nothing more worthwhile.

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.

Honestly, some classes were better than others. Teachers were hit and miss, from inspiring to ineffective. It's certainly not a rigorous workload, but, in the end, that kind of works out because time seems to disappear on the MV.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Great deans and support staff. Tom Jelke, our dean, really cared about us and the program, and it showed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in one of the small rooms, but there was a cleaning service and amenities out the wazoo.

* Food:

Actually pretty good, but also pretty repetitive. However, the long days of pasta and potatoes are punctuated by days of authentic, delicious food from all over the world, so it balances out.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I mean, this is more an experience of breadth than depth. You only spend up to five days in each country, but you see the world. So it's a horse apiece, really.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There is a doctor on-board the MV, and seminars on health issues and safety before each port.

* Safety:

There are always dangers to traveling, but SAS prepares you as well as possible for situations you might run into.

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)

Trips and travel in port is sometimes expensive, there's no way around it. Be prepared to spend money.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? While traveling in-country, five days of food usually put me back 100-150 bucks.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use hostels and not hotels. Haggle. Don't sacrifice health, but try the cheap places.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International 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?
  • Travel, breadth of experience
  • People I met on-ship
  • Meeting locals
* What could be improved?
  • Teacher hiring process
  • Academics in general
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to haggle. I am now a haggle god.

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.