A Life Changing Experience Past Review
By Henry Dodge (Colby College) - abroad from 02/02/2017 to 04/27/2017 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program
We learned real field work and were able to present our findings to local government officials giving us experience with science communication as well. These experiences will be incredibly valuable for me in the future.
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. |
This was a once in a lifetime educational experience. In our classes we were learning about the culture and ecosystem that we were immersed in for 3 months. It was life changing, hands-on-learning. |
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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? |
We were in tents the whole time which was what everyone expected as it is a field based study abroad program. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You can't really have better social/cultural integration when you are living in the bush with local guides for three months. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health care was always easily accessible and the walk-in clinics were very similar to what we have at home. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Going on the Botswana program was one of the best decisions I've made during my college experience. The opportunity to be a part of real conservation work and the ability to live in the bush for three months were as incredible as they sound. |
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's pretty hard to spend a ton of money because you are in the bush for the vast majority of the program. We didn't eat meals out that much and when we did I always found it to be very affortable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $7 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | None |
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 |
Using Setswana was always encouraged especially with the local escort guides who we were living with everyday. |
| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 wish I thought about how we were going to be confined to camp in the afternoons because of the potential for animals to be around. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
