Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Difficult-but great experience Past Review

By (Broadcast Journalism., Illinois State University) - abroad from 08/22/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

University of Leicester: Leicester - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was a cool experience, I preferred traveling to staying in the school.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I didn't feel that I learned as much as I would have in the United States.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Not always available when I needed them, very unorganized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I felt like I was staying in a mansion.

* Food:

The food from the dorms was almost inedible.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

If I were to travel to England again, I would not pick Leicester. It isn't a good representation of England because of how culturally diverse it was. I have enough cultural diversity here in the United States with similar immigrants. I wanted an experience with ENGLISH people.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had a problem with sickness.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in England.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

I didnt spend much money besides when I had to buy my own food because of lack of healthy food in the dorms.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 70 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? no

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
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?
  • drinking age
  • swiss alps
  • traveling
* What could be improved?
  • organization
  • location of housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? how hard it would be to miss my family

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.