An Unforgettable Semester Past Review
By Anna S (International Relations/LPS, Drake University) - abroad from 01/12/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
CIEE: Iringa - Community Development, Language + Culture
just how big and amazing the world is. it was definitely a worthwhile experience
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were interesting, but not intense. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Stayed in dorms and had a Tanzanian roommate. The dorms were not "high class" but that is all part of the experience |
| * Food: |
Food on campus subsidized, so it is very cheap. It is a lot a beans and rice, so it get a little old after a while. However there is always great, fresh fruit available. There are delicious, cultural restaurants around Dar that I would highly recommend trying! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Taking public transportation was a great way to integrate into the culture. I took Swahili and tried to use that as much as possible, the locals appreciate it and normally give you a better price. Being white will always make you stick out, but if you make the effort, you can immerse yourself. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I experienced no health issues. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe, but like anywhere, you have to be aware of your surrounding and be smart when you go out. |
| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around $30, more if we went out of town for the weekend |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | just be smart of how you spend money, and don't waste it on things you don't need. Dar is very affordable and you can have a great time on a budget. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
People appreciate when you use the language and normally give you a better price |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had never take Swahili |
| 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? | Practice as much as you can! |
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? |
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? | the things I that were most frustrating where cultural difference, and I had read about them before I left, but I need to go there and experience and overcome them for myself. |
