Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Whole New World January 12, 2025

By (Sociology & History, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/16/2024 to 12/13/2024 with

University of Bristol: Bristol - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about independent study and what it looks like across different subject areas seeing as the University of Bristol program aimed to motivate independent study among students. It is something I had hoped to experience when applying and can say it is an experience I hope to implement in my studies at Brandeis going forward as well. Additionally, I gained some valuable relationships through the student clubs and organizations that I hope to maintain contact with for a long time to come. Lastly, as a Sociology/History double major whose areas of study are often reading intensive, I learned some valuable reading schools from my host University’s Study Abroad director that I am thankful for and will continue to use in my final year of study at Brandeis.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* 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

I think the experience as a whole was quite vastly different from my time at Brandeis and, while it required much adjustment to navigate, I believe I needed to experience a new place and a new social-culture. From my last years in high school to present day, I have often taken keen interest in understanding and integrating into cultures different from mine and this experience did not fall short of showing me a system of life that I was not already familiar with that I can compare and contrast to my past experiences. Not only do I think having said experiences to look back at contributes to my practical understandings and application of my fields of study, but they also broaden my mindset and teach me the different ways life unfolds across cultures.

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? $15-$10
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? For students enrolled at their host university with a university meal plan/ under university catering, to keep meals in containers for later meal times in the day should they not have the time to revisit their cafeteria

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?
  • Class recordings being available to students
  • Student support systems
  • City experience
* What could be improved?
  • N/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? N/a

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.