The Greatest Three Month Period Of My Life January 25, 2024
By Colin M (Environmental Science, University of Tennessee - Chattanooga) - abroad from 09/20/2023 to 12/13/2023 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program
I gained so much knowledge about the environment, culture, and biodiversity in this area as well as political issues along with just great advice and learning from the students-instructors with me I feel we as a group grew to learn each other so much and grow off of each other to all become better.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The educational experience i had the oppurtunity to join in on was fantastic. Tons of hands on learning to get practice in field work and an understanding of basics. On top of this we had many readings based classes where everyone discussed a particular issue or topic which allowed a great diversity of answers and other perspectives on issues relevant to conservation. The ability of our instructors to create this type of learning environment was spectacular and taught me so much more that just facts, it helped develop an ability to critically think of answers on your own. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The onside assistance/administration was fantastic and any issues that popped up on the trip were all solved within a timely manner. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was a little rough considering it was a tent for three months; however in the end i wouldnt have traded it for anything, the ablity to hear the animals at night and as you awaken is mesmerizing |
| * Food: |
The food was good we had cook groups for different days who made meals and the grocery list was extensive allowing for a wide range of meals |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Due to the two instructor guides from botswana i felt very immersed in their life style and culture |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program felt life changing for me from the people from their who taught us so much about their traditional ecological knowledge as well as learning about issues in this environment i now have as a second home. Along with this the instructors from round river were absolutely fantastic shout out gabe and dom some of the sweetest and most caring as well as brilliant people ive had the ability to be introduced to. Finally the 11 other students who i joined will always be some of my closest friends i feel so blessed to have joined the group I did in the place we chose.n Truly life changing. |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Very cheap in general buying souveneirs was the most expensive part. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 5-10$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | work hard in the summers to before a program if you intend on studying abroad and try to save a majority intended for your trip as well as apply to as many scholarships as possible |
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 occasionally talked to people in places like stores in setswanan as well as had a course based around the language. |
| 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? | Spanish Two |
| 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? | Alot of rolling the R's and doing uncommon sounds to the english language so prepare!! |
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 wish I knew what clothes were most suited for this dry hot type of area. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
