Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best experience of my life. Past Review

By (University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 06/05/2016 to 06/25/2016 with

University of Northern Iowa: Capstone in Greece

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Not only did I learn so much about a new culture, but I learned a lot about myself and my culture as well. It was so cool to look at my culture through a new lens and get to live in another culture for a while. My only regret is that I had to leave.

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.

This was an amazing program, and I learned so much about the subjects and culture in general. It was a lot harder than I expected and would have appreciated a little less lecture time to explore but I have absolutely no regrets on choosing this program.

* 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:

I did not feel unsafe a single moment while I was there!

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

It was harder than most programs, but the professors were amazing, I made lifelong friends, and had experiences I will keep for life!

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? My biggest expense was souvenirs for my giant family, otherwise I spent less than $80 a week.

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
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Experiences
  • Professors
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • A little less lecture time--> not a whole lot less but just enough that we could have a little less constructed time.
  • More clear itenerary, I would have looked up fun things to do and see during my free time if I knew how much time I would have each day and where we would have been. I feel like I wasted a lot of my free time trying to figure out what I could do.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There's nothing I can think of!

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.