Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life changing, and eye opening. BYU in Iasi Past Review

By (Special Education, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 04/24/2012 to 07/23/2012 with

Study Abroad Programs in Romania

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much gratitude and came to appreciate another culture and understand the way they live.

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

* 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:

It is fairly safe if you stay inside once it gets late and walk in a big group of people. Even then we had some security issues over there, so be careful!

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? No
* 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? around 25 dollars.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
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? Romanian 100
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? Talk to the kids and the workers in Romanian

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

  • 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?
  • The fact that we were immersed in the Romanian culture, and that we got to actually work with the kids and make a difference.
* What could be improved?
  • It would be nice to have had closer and cleaner apartments.
  • It would be beneficial to have more contact with Mario.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known that it was going to be hard to get along with the workers, and you have to be able to take criticism.