The World is Our Campus Past Review
By A student (Biological Science, University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 08/24/2013 to 12/16/2013 with
Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus
I learned about the immensely diverse cultural aspects of the rapidly globalizing world. It was certainly worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academically minimally challenging, but infinitely rewarding. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Too bad a window cabin was more expensive, but it was no big deal. |
| * Food: |
Food was definitely sub-par for the expense of the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Difficult to get very integrated in the amount of time spent in each port. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There are definitely places where you need to be on your guard, but the administration does a great job of making sure you are aware of the dangers and have contact information for hospitals and the program's healthcare staff. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
I spent WAY more than I would at home. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $350+ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You're going to need it for travel and food and gifts and souvenirs and clothes and day-to-day expenses. You never want to have to turn down a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because you couldn't shell out the $100 for it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were only in each port for less than a week so the language changed a lot. We were usually given a list of some common words/phrases for each place. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Highest level of Spanish offered in High School |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Nah you'll never get them all. But people tend to appreciate your effort to say please and thank you in their native language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Hearing about something is not the same as living it. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
