Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great Three Months in the Balkans Past Review

By (History, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/05/2018 to 05/05/2018 with

SIT Study Abroad: Belgrade, Budapest, and Vienna - Comparative European Perspectives on Conflict and Democracy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile. Finally got the opportunity to hear personal accounts and opinions of events I had only read about in books.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not a ton of work before the ISP. Still more than most study abroad programs. However, the ISP is very quite rigorous.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I personally loved the staff. I felt that they were attentive to my needs, and were responsive when I had issues. However, some of my classmates had much more negative experiences.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Had a great home stay. The family I stayed with was very nice!

* 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

I loved my time in the Balkans. The two months in Belgrade were a lot of fun, but the highlight for me was my ISP month in Bosnia. Grateful for the opportunity to conduct research in a truly independent fashion.

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)

Belgrade is really cheap.

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Other
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • ISP
* What could be improved?
  • Classes in Belgrade
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? At least know something about the region going in. The better your understanding is going in, the more you'll get out of 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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!