ASAP: The Experience of a Lifetime! Past Review
By David L (Business Administration, Marist College) for
Marist College: Traveling - Asia Study Abroad Program (ASAP)
It was absolutely worth it. I would do the program again without hesitation - I took more out of it than I had ever anticipated. I learned to become detached from unimportant factors of life, abandon a ritual of living, and embrace the cultures that I was in. These all contributed to the greatest experience I have ever had.
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. |
ASAP is academically rigorous, with a full semester (15 credits) of classes being taken. Classes relate with business, economy, and religion. Classes are run though face-to-face interactions, internet communication, and on-location experiences. Since the classes are taught by Marist professors, there is little change in the educational system. I got much more out of being able to apply what I was learning in specific contexts. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The trip was tightly coordinated with two program administrators and two teaching assistants. The administrators have been doing the program for many years so they are very knowledgable on all aspects of the trip. They are always available to help and assist you in any way and are an integral part of the experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
You need to be able to eat Asian foods without the reliance on a specific diet, although that is possible to a degree. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We made many great connections and friends throughout various experiences through the Southeast Asian countries we visited which will stay with me for the rest of my life. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Where safety is always a primary issue, I did not have any problems with it. At no time did I feel threatened or in need of extra preparation to be safe. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Spending is estimated at $8,500 but discretionary is dependent on the person. This includes all food, housing, and transportation, |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend on unnecessary items or small trinkets, but save for more important items that will have a lasting memory and impact. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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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? | Go with an open mind, engage in everything you can, take advantage of all opportunities, learn a lot, manage your responsibilities, and have fun! |
