Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A fulfilling and educational experience working to better the lives of others. Past Review

By (Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Platteville) - abroad from 07/30/2015 to 08/28/2015 with

Engineers Without Borders: Worldwide Volunteer Projects

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Language experience, cultural experience, construction skills. Most definatley worthwhile to anyone planning on owning a home.

Review Photos

Engineers Without Borders: Worldwide Volunteer Projects Photo Engineers Without Borders: Worldwide Volunteer Projects Photo

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.

Excellent, highly recommend this program to any student wanting to work along their fellow man in a third world country.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Excellent, President of organization taught us everything that we needed to know.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Some issues with misplaced goods. Great beds and facilities. In house kitchen

* Food:

Delicious and cheap

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The communities were very accepting of us and treated us very well.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

No issues of note

* Safety:

Excellent, EWB-UWP employs a body guard who was a former member of the Ghanian Secret Service.

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

Ghana is a beautiful country, the people there are very kind, and the work that EWB-UWP does in Ghana is awe inspiring.

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)

5

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $35
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go overboard buying things at the Art Market the first time you go, if you do you will end up with no money at the end of the trip.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Sights
  • People
  • Work
* What could be improved?
  • Lodging
  • Grant availability
  • Communication overseas
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Having traveled in Ghana previously, I knew what to expect.

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 Adventurer
The 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.