Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Absolutely incredible experience!! Past Review

By (Washington University in Saint Louis) - abroad from 03/13/2016 to 03/21/2016 with

The GREEN Program: Peru - Water Resource Management & Sustainable Practices

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that many of the problems we experience worldwide can be fixed at the local level with small improvements.

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.

Our professor had an excellent grasp of the information he was teaching and managed to compress massive amounts of information into a single week.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Absolutely incredible!! Everyone was helpful, flexible, and professional.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Some of the most delicious food I have had in my life.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Our tour guide for Peru made us feel extremely welcome and helped us to integrate with the locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no health issues during the program, but I am confident they would have been dealt with very professionally.

* Safety:

I felt incredibly safe. Many of us went out at night to explore the nightlife of Cusco and never ran in to any trouble.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This program opened my eyes culturally, educationally, and professionally. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. I couldn't ask for better memories!

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)

Every necessity was included in the price of the program. The only money you need is for souvenirs or any extra drinks/food you might want to buy.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to find a good exchange rate, as some places will be higher than others.

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

We were almost required to speak Spanish when we went to the markets, but there was no necessity for it other times. It was mostly used if you wanted to practice.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? AP Spanish in high school
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? Focus on conversations focused around purchasing goods as well as general courtesies.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Integration with the culture
  • Maximized time for activities
  • Exposure to incredible experiences and people
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Some of the suggested items to bring were unnecessary.

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.