Study Abroad Evaluation Form

This short evaluation is designed for USM students returning from a study abroad experience. We appreciate your taking the time to answer the following 10 questions. By sharing your experiences with us, we can improve our procedures to better advise and prepare students in the future.

Thank you!
 

1. How did you prepare for your study abroad experience? (Please check all that apply.)

Travel Guides
Speaking with international exchange students on campus
Speaking with former study abroad students
Information from the International Exchange office
Information from USM faculty
World Wide Web
Foreign Films
TV, Magazines
Other: please specify

2. In retrospect, what else could you have done that would have been helpful?  (Please check all that apply.)

Secured a credit card prior to traveling.
Investigated banking arrangements prior to travel
Completed a power of attorney
Purchased a long distance calling plan and/or cell phone
Researched the local area in more detail prior to traveling
Other: please specify
 

3. Please select the accuracy of the information you received on the following items prior to your going abroad.
Meal Expenses:                                                                 

     Most Accurate    Fairly Accurate    Not Accurate

Course Selections:   

      Most Accurate    Fairly Accurate    Not Accurate

Living Arrangements: 

      Most Accurate    Fairly Accurate    Not Accurate

Administrative Assistance from USM International Office:  

      Most Accurate    Fairly Accurate    Not Accurate

Administrative Assistance received at Exchange Site:

      Most Accurate    Fairly Accurate    Not Accurate
 

4. If you marked any of the above items as Not Accurate, please note how the information you received was inaccurate.

5. Were the financial projects for your study abroad experience accurate?

        More Expensive           Accurate        Less Expensive

6. How did you fund your study abroad program?

Federal Financial Aid
Scholarships
Loans
Parents/family
Myself
Other: please specify
 

7. What were the most beneficial aspects of your study abroad experience? (Please check all that apply.)

Meeting new people
The chance to take courses beyond those offered at USM
Learning more about myself
Learning more about my OWN language/culture
Learning the language first hand
Becoming more knowledgeable about the world
The opportunity to experience a new culture/country first hand
Other: please specify

8. What were the most valuable things you learned about yourself, as a result of this study abroad experience?
(Please check all that apply.)

That I can be very independent
That I can easily make new friends
That I don't like traveling alone
That I can solve problems on my own
That I missed my family and my home
That I enjoy traveling and meeting new people
That I appreciate Maine and USM
That I like challenging myself
Other: please specify

9. What were your most  challenging experiences? (Please check all that apply).

Budgeting my money
Adapting to a different educational system
Traveling alone
Lack of administrative assistance from your host university
The classes you had pre-approved at U SM were not available once you arrived on site
Leaving after only 1 semester
Learning the language
Culture shock experienced after arrival in the foreign country or upon your return to the US
Other: please specify

10. What recommendations would you have for other students studying abroad?

11. What was the ONE REASON why you decided to study abroad?

12. What is your current occupation and/or primary interest?

10. What semester or year did you study abroad? 

11. Where did you study abroad?

Mailing Address:

City:   State:   Zip Code: