Eastern World Adventures Past Review
By Ashley T (Drake University) - abroad from 01/08/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
Payap University: Chiang Mai - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I have grown as a person and learned so much, especially patience. It's hard to describe everything that I've learned, but it was the most worthwhile thing I've done so far in my life.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Payap University. Pannasastra University of Cambodia |
| 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. |
I found it interesting to have international and native professors, giving us a diverse view point of subjects that we were learning. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
For the most part very organized, just some things happen randomly, due to Asian culture. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living in the apartment in Cambodia, but I wasn't too fond of the dorms in Thailand. |
| * Food: |
Love trying all the food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was hard at times to be integrated and I felt that we really had to work on this aspect on our own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Perfectly normal, and safe. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe the whole time. I think students need to know that they are the main person that can keep them 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) |
It was relatively easy, sometimes were harder than others, and it was all personal choice. |
| * 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? | 3,000 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Going out adds up, and try to buy from local venders and such, it helps save money. |
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 |
We learned helpful phrases, and how to older food and barter so we were able to start using our language skills early on. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I am intermediate in Spanish. |
| 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? | Use it, don't be afraid, everyone feels uncomfortable at first. Try and make a Thai friend to help you use it. |
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? | I needed to challenge myself to meet locals and become a part of the local culture. |
