a good time Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/18/2018 to 12/14/2018 with
CIEE: Dakar - Development Studies in Senegal
A new home away from home
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were not as academically rigorous as classes at Wellesley but I learned a lot on my own and outside of class |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was great. very supportive |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It took a while to get used to my host family and their home but once I did, I was fine |
* Food: |
Never had a bad meal |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt kinda cloistered sometimes with the other program participants |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Yes, it was during orientation |
* Safety: |
I felt very safe throughout |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes, I had a great time |
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) |
pretty easy, the cost of living was not too much |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | average around $100 |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would most meals at home. Shop around for good prices before buying anything and ask locals about the best prices. |
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 |
We had designated language days |
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? | french 228 |
How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | try to speak in french with people who also speak english. they will offer to help you if you trip up |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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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? | spend as much time outside getting to know people and break away from the program as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. you will make connections better that way |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |