Learning through doing Past Review

By (SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 01/13/2018 to 05/12/2018 with

AMIDEAST: Rabat - Regional Studies in French

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a much wider worldview. For each time I was frustrated with the environment around me, I had at least five moments that made up for it with beautiful views, friendly people, and new skills to take with me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was often frustrating and made students to feel cheated. Certain staff members even made my safety feel threatened, while the Student Coordinator provided support and constant assurance that she was looking out for the students collective well-being.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very satisfied with my 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:

Rabat is a very safe city, where anyone with common sense can have a fantastic time.

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

I met my closest friends through this program! Even though there were minute things I would change about the experience, I feel that the faculty were very accomplished and impressive people to meet.

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)

AMIDEAST hands out regularly scheduled stipends, but they are not nearly enough to cover the costs they are allocated to cover.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~35USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save your stipends!

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 477
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Doha
  • Speaking French
  • Learning Darija
* What could be improved?
  • Staff other than Doha
  • Greater stipend money
  • Exorbitant pricing of the programm
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Morocco is safe and wonderful!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!