Senegal and away Past Review
By Katherine G (International Relations and Affairs., The College of William and Mary) for
CIEE: Dakar - Language & Culture
It was very worthwhile. I learned a lot about what I want and what I don't want. It was really amazing in all respects.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors were fine. Not amazing but very knowledgeable. The courses were fine. Easy but fine. There was a lot to learn even if there was nothing challenging per se in the courses. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were better than any other administration I have ever worked with or even heard of. They went over and above their role and made our study abroad better. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Most people had a very good experience. Sadly, I had a very bad family. All the families were did everything necessary and we lived in a very safe and good environment. |
| * Food: |
It is challenging if you are a vegetarian but people in our group were able to do it, so I'm sure you can too! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were great field trips for a weekend once a month and we also had a week where we all went off on our own to live in a rural village. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was hospitalized for 4 days while I was there. I had a lung infection that became pnemonia. It was hard because the French do not tell much about what the patient is going through but I got very good service. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You get about 20 dollars in stipends which covered most things. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 212/French 301 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* 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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It was a great time to work on being independent. The best times during the program when I had one on one moments with Senegalese where I had to use my language skills and learned a lot about the culture. The best week was when we all got separated and had to work on how to be on our own and become a part of the community. |
