Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A very big eye opener Past Review

By (Accounting and Related Services., Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 06/02/2014 to 07/04/2014 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Denmark & Sweden - Scandinavian Culture and Business

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. I feel like I gained a lot of cultural knowledge and experience. It's a really big eye opener to see how other people grow up so differently than us and to see where America stands in comparison to other countries.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The travel company we used, SEPA, wasn't very good. There were several mistakes they made with directions and the bus and taking us to the wrong hotel. It caused a lot of extra walking and taking up a lot of our free time.

* 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?

My teacher was always concerned about eating something I would like because of how picky I am.

* Safety:

Europe is really safe. I felt more safe walking in the city there than I do in Dallas and Houston. In Copenhagen, Denmark there were no incidents with pickpockets at all but in Sweden we did almost get pickpocketed so I would never put your phone in your back pocket and keep your purse close, even if it is strapped across your body. I had a backpack on and never had a problem with pickpockets but I also made sure one or two of my classmates were behind me at all times to watch.

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)

My answer is skewed because my parents allowed more than enough money for me to live off of.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? For the whole two weeks I spend $673, including alcohol, clubs, tourist attractions, and souviners.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you're staying in hotels, eating a lot from the free breakfast and don't eat lunch so you're only buying dinner.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • It wasn't a super long time away and it wasn't a super short time away.
  • I got to experience something so new.
  • It made me more excitied about the world and to travel and it taught me how to travel.
* What could be improved?
  • To learn a little bit more on the culture before going over there and less on packing.
  • Mabye going to a few more tourist attractions as a group rather than having to find our own places to go.
  • Being able to pick who we room with every night.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A lot of the cultural things I know about, how exactly to get cash out while over there, and that converters are important.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.