Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (Accounting, SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY Binghamton: Utrecht - Study Abroad at University College Utrecht

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Great program. Became more independent. Learned another language. Made a lot of close friends.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month
The term and year this program took place: Spring 2010

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was more than I expected but the professors were very nice and understood that I was on exchange and wanted to travel so they granted me extensions on assignments when I needed them. Instruction was all in English which was helpful.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Good program. Would go again if I could.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in a dorm room on campus. Had one roommate and 7 other unit mates. Live in room 20B in building K. <br /><br /> Great housing. Got along with everyone. Safe environment. Close proximity to everything.

* Food:

Did not like the local cuisine. Didn't like the set meal schedule and limits on how much you can eat.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very social environment. Everyone knows everyone.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

A safe and healthy environment on campus and in the city.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Spent money mostly on traveling. Did not need to buy food because there is a dining hall on campus.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep track of your money.

Language

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I had no knowledge of the Dutch language before I arrived. However, after taking a Beginner Dutch class I feel like I know Dutch pretty well. But like I said before, most people in the Netherlands speak English and all the instruction in the classroom was in English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Great program. More work than I expected to do but I met lots of great people and still was able to have an awesome time.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Beginner Dutch
Course Department: ACC 099
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Dutch
Comments: Fun course. It was nice to learn the local language.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

History and Philosophy of Science
Course Department: HUM 115
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Boring class. I am an accounting major which is probably why I didn't find this course interesting. Great professors though.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Law, Society, and Justice
Course Department: SSC 171
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting class. Lots of reading and work. Did not like the professor.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Social and Economic Geography
Course Department: SSC 241
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting course. Relevant field trips. Great professor.
Credit Transfer Issues: