Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was a great experience! Past Review

By (Social Work., University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 08/20/2012 to 12/21/2012 with

University of Maine: Worldwide - Global Work with Immigrant Kids Exchange Program / GWIK

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about nonverbal communication and how people live in Europe. I learned a lot about the social system and the differences between work in my field as a European verses an American

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.

* 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? 60Euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? at the beginning budget how much you have per week and write down how much you have each week as well as every time you spent money and on what and it was really helpful for me

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
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? live with a host family and at stores and it helps

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The teachers were wonderful and the material was all very interesting
* What could be improved?
  • I wish the language class we had taken was more "common phrase" based instead of intro level Dutch becuase it would have been more useful
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing really it was all pretty much what I had expected.

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!