Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Experience, Learned So Much Past Review

By (Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 05/11/2012 to 05/31/2012 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Rome, Florence and Venice - Psychology in Italy, Maymester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile, and I gained a lot of new knowledge of the country and of history of science.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: none
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

* 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? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy groceries instead of eating out all the time.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • 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 was very informative and I learned a lot about travelling, other countries, and other cultures.
* What could be improved?
  • I wish the university could be more picky about who to allow on the trip, because some people tried to ruin the experience for others with nonstop complaining (for no reason).
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known my roommates better in advance so that I would have lived with different people. I wouldn't change the experience of the trip itself.