Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best experience of my life, and lifelong memories. Past Review

By (Marketing., Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 06/22/2014 to 07/03/2014 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?
I learned a lot of how the businesses and culture are similar and different in the United States and Scandinavia. It was worthwhile because now I have a better understanding of different business models, and have seen this different model work well for people in their own country.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Our professors were very knowledgeable about the area and we were able to visit a wide variety of businesses and learn a lot about the culture of these countries.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The hotels we stayed in were varied and wonderful

* Food:

One can only have a certain amount of open faced sandwiches before they become tired of them, no matter how delicious

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

If we had more time, we probably would have become more integrated. I feel like if the program was 1 more week, there would have been more time to do the things we

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no health issues during the trip

* Safety:

I felt very safe while on the rip

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)

Scandinavia is a very expensive place to visit, I would say to budget at the bare minimum $50 a day.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $400
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to grocery stores and buy food during the day, go to the breakfast buffet that is available at all the hotels, and eat at restaurants only occasionally.

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

While most of the people in the countries we visited speak English fluently, we were taught a lot of common phrases and encouraged to use them a lot

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? High School Spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? practice, youtube really helped me

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • UNICEF
  • Danish countryside
  • Experiencing Scandinavian culture
* What could be improved?
  • trip planner changed (the company in Germany)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have been able to get to know the people in my group a bit more before the trip, and that I should plan my time more wisely.

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.