Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A learning experience. March 02, 2025

By (Sociology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/18/2024 to 12/21/2024 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. I learned a lot about what it means to be perceived as an American abroad.... how national identity impacts the contexts we are in. I also learned a lot about how my racial identity is perceived in different contexts, which I was pretty alert of prior to the experience, but witnessing it was different. I learned what it is like to be away from family for so long and what it means to live alone.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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? No

As lovely as the weather and scenery was in Cyprus, it felt very underwhelming for me at times. I felt like I had explored the entire island in about month. Sometimes I felt like the events being taken place around the city were not that appealing to me (I tried to keep an open mind and try everything at least once before deciding this).

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? 20-50 euros, dependent on if I was planning to go out that weekend for any excursions, groceries etc.

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
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Program Coordinators (super sweet, responsive, and supportive)
  • The group of students I met who were also studying abroad
  • Housing Accomodations
* What could be improved?
  • The time period for finals and return to the US felt very rushed. We were expected to take our exams before the local students, pack and clean our rooms within the same week of leaving.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had done a better job of looking for an intentional community of black people within my age group because I realized how important being around people that look like me was to me.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.