Unforgettable experience Past Review
By Eliza L (High School) - abroad from 07/31/2015 to 08/16/2015 with
Broadreach: Programs at Sea - Caribbean PADI Divemaster
Originally I had signed up for this program because I wanted to get better at sailing, but I came away with a love for scuba diving. I went on every single dive that our boat went on and I'm so glad I did. Every dive is a little different and I love that each time there is a chance you could see something new. I also gained many new friends and so many happy memories.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned everything necessary to earn my PADI Open Water Certification and my Advanced Open Water Certification. We had two textbooks to help us study from and our instructor would have us do activities in them almost every day. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All the adults at the base "pad" of the program were very friendly upon our arrival and seemed very enthusiastic about what they were doing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The boats you live on definitely aren't luxury sailboats, but you can't really expect much from trying to fit 12 teenagers onto one boat. The boats simply did the job and were adequate. |
| * Food: |
As an athlete that was trying to remain in shape during this program, I was not very happy with the food choices, which were fairly unhealthy. It's difficult to have fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, etc. while on a boat that doesn't go to shore very often, so we wound up with a lot of things that were relatively processed. However, I think we did a good job with the food that we did have and some meals were actually really good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We didn't go on land very often and only got to interact with locals maybe three times. I was hoping for more immersion into the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had a problem with my ears because we were diving so much, but my instructors were very helpful in telling me how to use the ear drops that the program had told me to bring. The program had also told us in advance to bring Gold Bond, which I wound up using as well. Another girl on my boat was stung by a jellyfish and my counselors took very good care of her and did their best to make her feel comfortable. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe on my trip. The only inherent danger would have come from things living in the water and our counselors prepared us very well for anything we may encounter. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
We only had about four opportunities to spend money as we only did so when we were on land. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would remind myself not to be deterred during the first few days if it doesn't seem as good as you thought it would be. The first few days of any new experience are always tough as you make friends and get comfortable. But as time goes on during the program, each day exceeds the expectations you had even more. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
