Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Maybe Not the Best Choice for a Study Abroad Past Review

By (Hendrix College) - abroad from 01/18/2018 to 05/26/2018 with

University of Nicosia - Global Semesters: Nicosia - Semester in Cyprus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile for my personal travels.

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.

The course material that I did here was the same as the course material that I had in high school. None of my classes were challenging, the courses were unorganized, and the professors rarely respond to emails. Plus the students in the class never seemed to show up or care about the course.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were nice for the most part.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our apartment is really just meant for 2 people to be living in, but there were 4 of us in the apartment. When we got here, appliances were falling apart, the washing machine was leaking, the toilet was leaking, and I had problems with my heating/cooling unit. Even when we tried to get our toilet fixed, we didn't get a response for at least 3 weeks.

* Food:

Grocery shopping is pretty inexpensive. However, the only other options for food are fast food and delivery, which can be very costly. Zorbas is really good though!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I don't feel integrated at all. I've met a few people from my classes, but that's about it. Global Semesters keeps us to ourselves for the most part. Even when I tried to join some clubs on campus, the offices in charge of all of that at UNIC didn't seem to know what they were doing. The most experience that I've had with integrating was going out to the clubs, but they were expensive and I was deterred from going after a while so I wouldn't get harassed by the men there. I had a drink slapped out of my hand by a man at the club just because I didn't want to talk to him, and then at an event hosted by UNIC, my drink was spiked.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Like I said before, I had my drink spiked at a school-sponsored event. I didn't deem it necessary to go to the hospital, but I feel like if I contacted GS about it, they wouldn't reply in time.

* Safety:

Safe if you're a guy! Like I said before, I got my drink spiked at a school-sponsored event. The cat-calling here is ridiculous. Though this also happens in the United States, for me personally I haven't been able to go a day without someone staring/whistling/cat-calling me on the street.

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

This program looked a whole lot better on paper when it was first presented to me. After having gone through the program, it was disappointing.

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)

Grocery shopping is fine, but if you want to do anything/go out it's always going to be expensive regardless.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about $100-$200 (depending on if there was an excursion that weekend)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try not to get take-out too often.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • Meeting new people
* What could be improved?
  • Better response time
  • Intensive language course
  • Better integrating students at the university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the classes weren't going to be challenging at all, and that the area that we are living in doesn't provide you with a lot of opportunities to do anything unless you spend money.

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!