Experience of a Lifetime ! February 21, 2024
By A student (EOS, Bowdoin College) - abroad from 09/13/2023 to 12/14/2023 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program
I learned so much about the community and how conservation work within this region. This program made me think about the larger implications of effect community based natural resource management and how it offers a alternative method of conservation that focuses on the economics of the region.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Offered a different branch of education. Many student lead discussions. All of the assignments felt intentional and purposeful to improve your knowledge and connection to the region. |
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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? |
You are camping the whole time! Get use to the sounds of the bush :) |
| * Food: |
It is what you make it ! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Visits to local communities happened frequently and our local instructors were incredibly knowledgeable about the whole region. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
As best as they could be in the back country |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I can't imagine my life without this experience now. I grew so much in such a short period of time. It almost feels like a dream. |
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? | Maybe $5 usd |
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 |
Language courses were taught and enaged with |
| 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 |
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? | How truly hot it is in that area. |
