Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Trip of a Lifetime! :) Past Review

By (Accounting and Related Services., Illinois State University) - abroad from 05/19/2012 to 06/14/2012 with

University of the West of England: Bristol - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was worthwhile. I learned a lot about the culture of England and really got to experience it. Living with a host family really helped to adapt to the culture. I gained new friends through this experience.

Review Photos

Direct Enrollment: Bristol - University of West England Photo Direct Enrollment: Bristol - University of West England Photo Direct Enrollment: Bristol - University of West England Photo

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University of the West of England
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

We really did not learn much about International Business while over there. We mostly learned about the culture of England and how it differs from the United States. But the classes we took were pretty good.

* 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)

I was overseas for 4 weeks and spent about $1,500 on food, drinks, souvenirs, attractions, and transportation.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $350, which would equal about 230 pounds; we traveled to a different place on the weekends
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to eat cheaper and only buy what you need and can fit in your suitcases. You will spend money on attractions so make sure you have enough for that too. You also do not need to go out to pubs every night and spend lots of money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • The little trips we were taken on.
  • Professors at UWE
  • Making new friends out of the students that went in my group
* What could be improved?
  • Classes - actually spending more time on International Business
  • Host Family's that get picked
  • No need for a professor from ISU to go with
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There are NO drinking fountains anywhere in England or Belgium! Plan ahead more for the weekends that you have free. Buses stop running around midnight so you need to catch a cab or walk back to the host family's house. You have to carry your luggage up stairs since some places do not have an elevator.