Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An intense semester of learning through observation with a great community Past Review

By (University of Florida) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 04/29/2015 with

Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about my own privilege and drastic inequalities around the world. It was worthwhile as an introduction to these issues but not enough to fully understand (it might be almost impossible to fully understand).

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?

The health staff did a great job of preparing us for each port in terms of what to avoid and what precautions to take.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $7,000 total
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't waste your money buying food on the ship. Don't sign up for field programs because you can do the same things with more freedom and for less money.

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

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Nightly seminars
  • Disconnecting from electronics/internet
  • unique study abroad experience
* What could be improved?
  • caliber of the professors
  • food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't sign up for field programs--you can almost always do the same things with more freedom and for less money.

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.