Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Incredible opportunity; I would recommend it to ALL students! Past Review

By (University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 05/16/2012 to 05/31/2012 with

University of Northern Iowa: Capstone in England and Ireland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned a lot about the culture and meeting the locals. In addition, our class was focused on the environment in which I also gained an immense amount of knowledge on. SO worthwhile and highly recommended! I would go back and do it again and again

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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:

I loved the food in England/Ireland but thought UNI would have provided more meals for us... became very expensive!

* 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)

Again, like I said early. Not expecting the expenses of the cost to be so high in addition to what we paid in order to go on the trip.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? In total I spent around $800-$900 for two weeks abroad and then another $200+ traveling for an additional week to Scotland
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? SAVE A LOT! Be prepared to spend much more than intended on food for yourself, going out to experience the culture, buying personal items, and experiencing other expensive things the country will have to offer (ie. museums, London Eye, and other national monuments)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • My professor was awesome!
  • The wonderful experiences and amazing people I met while abroad.
  • The greater appreciation I came back to the United States with.
* What could be improved?
  • Our student leader was not very involved or enthusiastic about the trip other than going shopping.
  • More aware of the expenses ($400 on the information sheet for personal expenses is not nearly enough)
  • More meals included from UNI
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Again, it is VERY expensive but VERY worth it! Save up for an amazing experience and blessed opportunity! The experiences will last a lifetime and well worth every penny spent!