Study Abroad Evaluation

Evaluating your period of study abroad is one of the most valuable services you can render Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) and future students wishing to study abroad, and it is one of the most important ways you can help us maintain the highest possible standards. For this reason, until this form is submitted to the Office of International Programs at BSC, transfer credit for students who participated on study abroad programs will not be processed. Completion of this evaluation should be done on line and should only take about 30 minutes to an hour. When you submit the form, your completed evaluation will be forwarded to the OIP Office.

Please note: If you studied abroad for two semesters on two different programs, you must submit two separate evaluations.

The staff of the OIP would welcome the opportunity to hear about your experiences abroad; please feel free to stop by to talk with us!

Name
Class:
Major(s):
Minor(s):
Country in which you studied:
Host University:
U.S. Sponsor (if different from host university):
Period of study abroad: (e.g. January 15, 2002-May 6, 2002)
Evaluation of personal learning In light of the fact that overseas educational systems differ significantly from ours, please reflect on your adjustment to your host country’s educational environment. In what ways did you benefit from being in a different academic environment? How has study abroad influenced your understanding of your host culture? In what ways has it influenced your perceptions of American culture? In what ways has study abroad contributed to your personal growth? What were the personal qualities you found most useful during your time abroad? How has study abroad influenced your academic and career goals? How has it influenced your personal goals? What was the worst thing about your study abroad experience? Why? What was the best thing about your study abroad experience? Why? Evaluation of level of integration Please comment on how successful you were in integrating into your host culture with regard to the following (please give details; e.g., what type of housing situation you chose, in what activities did you participate, etc),. Also comment on which was most valuable in helping to integrate into your host culture and why, and what strategies worked best in helping you to integrate. a) classes b) housing c) extra-curricular activities (please list): d) other (e.g., internships, independent projects, work, etc.); Evaluation of language learning (if on a program in a non-English speaking country) What was the language of the host culture? What kind of progress did you make in the different components of language study (aural comprehension, reading, writing, and speaking)? Evaluation of program/university and study abroad experience overall Did your host institutions/program provide you with adequate information prior to departure, an appropriate orientation on arrival, and sufficient support while you were there? Was it accurately presented in its brochures and correspondence? Please comment. Was your Resident Director/International Officer a host country national or an American? Was that person competent, effective, and helpful? Was s/he approachable and concerned about your general well-being and success? Please comment. Would you recommend that other BSC students attend this program or university? Why or why not? What advice, or admonitions, would you give to other BSC students considering study abroad in general, and this program or university in particular? Did you see or experience any form of discrimination in your host country/North American study abroad program group? What advice would you give future students regarding these issues? Evaluation of academics Are there any particular academic strengths of your host university/programs that you would recommend to other students? Please list the courses you took, including what level (intro/upper/seminar), and comment on each one. If you did an independent study project or internship, please describe. (Please keep in mind that overseas educational systems operate according to different systems of values than those that govern U.S. systems of education Evaluation of the OIP Please comment on your interaction with the staff of the BSC Office of International Programs: Did you attend BSC’s pre-departure orientation meeting(s)? Did you find the meetings and handouts useful? How would you recommend that we improve in this area? Would you like to make an appointment to discuss your study abroad experience? Would you be interested in volunteering your time to help with pre-departure orientations and/or other study abroad meetings or promotional activities? May we use your comments in future publications? Note: If you have any questions regarding this evaluation, please contact Anne Ledvina, Associate Director for the Office of International Programs at (205) 226-7722 or send any questions to aledvina@bsc.edu. Acknowledgements: This evaluation was the original creation of Middlebury College Off-Campus Study Program and the Office of International Programs at BSC would like to thank them for sharing their form with us.