Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An amazing opportunity to experience new cultures and grow as an individual! Past Review

By (Creative Writing & Political Science, Western Washington University) - abroad from 09/16/2014 to 12/19/2014 with

Study Abroad Programs Worldwide

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, completely worth while. I gained a much broader perspective on life and learned how to be more independent and helpful to others.

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.

The English department at the University of Hull was rather disorganized. The courses I took also met only once a week.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The International Department at the University of Hull was extremely disorganized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My living arrangements were fantastic. I was lucky enough to get into a very nice house with a helpful landlord.

* Food:

There was a wide variety of food choices that were close to the university.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Everyone was very friendly and I did not have any troubles adjusting to the new atmosphere.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I thankfully did not have the occasion to use the health care system while I was in England. I did need to get a vaccine before I left, but it was not for any prevalent issues specific to the country.

* Safety:

It was very safe. I did not feel concerned at all and felt comfortable enough to walk places on my own frequently.

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)

If you put in the effort to find cheaper places to shop it is not difficult to budget for meals and personal expenses.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50-$70
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't be afraid to explore your options in terms of grocery stores or other resources. Try not to settle for the first place you find.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Traveling to different countries.
  • Meeting new people.
  • Being on my own.
* What could be improved?
  • Better organization at the University of Hull.
  • Maybe more class time and educational resources.
  • Nothing else.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to spend more time exploring my options before shopping for groceries or other personal items.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.