Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wonderful and Enlightening, I Want to Go Back Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 05/14/2012 to 06/03/2012 with

St. Mary's College of Maryland: Traveling - Engaged Buddhism in Thailand

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to come out of my shell a bit more and how to truly appreciate and respect another culture. It was most definitely worthwhile and I would go on this study tour again in a heartbeat.

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.

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Experiencing a completely new culture
  • Being exposed to classroom topics in the real world
  • Once in a lifetime opportunities to meet and talk with inspirational people
* What could be improved?
  • Some of the housing options could be better
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Always have extra toilet paper and take a "real" shower whenever possible. Ask any and all questions that you have, you might not get another opportunity.