Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun- but not worth the amount of money I paid. Past Review

By (Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 05/20/2016 to 06/01/2016 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): The French Mystique - The Architecture, Gardens, and Culinary Delights of France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I'm glad I did it- but I could have had a better experience for a cheaper price on my own.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I did not learn much that applied to my major, but I did learn a lot about my host country.

* 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

It was more like an over priced vacation for me - the "educational" components did not apply to my major.

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)

Food was expensive!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About 200+$ each week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cheaper is better, only buy what you need

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The students.
  • The sights.
  • The food.
* What could be improved?
  • The professors.
  • Education for ALL majors listed.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That although the program was listed as all hospitality majors, it was focused on horticulture students and interior design students.

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.