Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

SIT in the Balkans Past Review

By (Government, Plan II, The University of Texas at Austin) for

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?
Absolutely. I learned so much more by living in Serbia and traveling to Kosovo, Bosnia, and Croatia than I could have in any course or book. Having the opportunity to design and conduct my own research project was also invaluable. I learned how challenging and rewarding fieldwork can be and was able to create original research on a topic that interested me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned an enormous amount of things about the Balkans, Serbia, and life in former Yugoslavia. And I didn't do most of this learning in the classroom. By going out into the city and living with a host family, as well as social activities the program planned for us, I learned by just living in Belgrade.

* 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?

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family