Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A new chapter full of anxiousness but ending in happiness and memories June 05, 2022

By (Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/31/2022 to 05/13/2022 with

SIT Study Abroad: Netherlands - International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile! I think the thing I gained the most from this was becoming more independent and trusting myself more with living my life and making my own decisions.

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.

The classes, excursions, and just overall programming was really engaging and I had the time of my life!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

At times they were kind of disorganized and the program coordinators didn't always give consistent answers to things but they were usually pretty on top of things.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host moms were amazing!

* Food:

I really liked the food the program provided! There was one person who had to leave to get their own lunch sometimes because they were gluten free and a lot of the food provided had gluten. But other than not being that accommodating to them, I was a big fan of the food!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Staying with a host family is definitely the reason I felt more integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have health issues so this doesn't really apply to me.

* Safety:

The only times I felt unsafe were when I was walking to a tram or a night bus alone at night but other than that I felt completely safe!

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved this program, from the classes to the professors and people in charge to the students who were in class with me. I really think that the friends I made in this program really helped push me out of my comfort zone and make me experience things I never would have.

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)

I luckily didn't have to live on a student's budget but if I did, the program provided lunch most days, my host parents provided dinner and other food I might want (breakfast, lunch on the weekend, etc.), and there were cafes and restaurants around that had some snacks and food for cheaper prices.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I didn't really go out a lot so maybe on average $60?

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

We never used it outside of the class, but the professor for the class encouraged us to use it with each other and to notice things around us in Dutch.

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? level 3 French at Brandeis
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • the classes and excursions
  • my fellow students
  • the assignments that made us go around the city
* What could be improved?
  • the communication of the admin
  • professors being more responsive
  • professors telling more specifically about assignments
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This is very small and stupid but I really wish I knew how to ride a bike. I felt kind of out of place sometimes when I was in the literal international city of bikes and I can barely balance on one for 20 seconds.

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!