Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Remarkable Past Review

By (Political Science and Sociology, SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 06/08/2014 to 07/14/2014 with

SUNY Geneseo: Traveling - Mediterranean Roots Summer Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This program was very unique because of all the different places we went to. It was definitely worthwhile. We saw so much and it is hard to believe it, but the fact is we had the opportunity of a lifetime.

Personal Information

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.

It is very important to keep in mind that this program is very travel heavy. As a result, the professor is more lenient with the work load. Don't get me wrong, the readings are still challenging, but the professor is a very good teacher and really just wants you to enjoy being abroad.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Roughly 50-100 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you have a kitchen you may want to consider buying food to cook with. It will save you money. Obviously you'll want to buy souvenirs, but pace yourself. You have lots of traveling ahead of you and buying a lot in the beginning will be an inconvenience.

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The sites
  • Experiencing different cultures
  • Small group
* What could be improved?
  • More organization
  • Faster wifi
  • The order of countries (i.e. Not going Greece, Italy, Spain, back to Italy)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew to bring more culturally appropriate clothes. Europeans tend to look very nice on a day to day basis and while I knew that I planned more for intense traveling than I did for being culturally appropriate and I should have found a better balance between the two.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!