Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I grew immensely during my time in Brussels. Past Review

By (International Relations, University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/15/2015 to 05/16/2015 with

Study Abroad Programs in Belgium

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be more independent and that I need to further develop my time-management skills. Yes, it definitely was.

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? No

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • flexibility
  • exposure to a professional environment
  • european lifestyle
* What could be improved?
  • folow-up with how students are doing
  • timeliness
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the education system is very different and there are less opportunities to pull-up your grades. It is explained in the manuals, but it should be emphasized more that professors in Europe aren't as open to discussing how you are doing in their classes. They are not concerned with how you're performing in their class, their priority is teaching.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'