A Crazy, Beautiful, Challenging Adventure Past Review
By Allison Summerly (University of Vermont) - abroad from 01/10/2017 to 04/04/2017 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program
I grew out of a lot of anxiety and learned to deal with challenges as they came and adapt to ever-changing plans and conditions. Absolutely worthwhile, brought me to some of the most amazing places I will ever go and crazy experiences I will remember for a lifetime.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not an academically rigorous program but challenging in other ways. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
You will live, cook, eat, camp etc. alongside your instructors. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Depends on quality of tent you bring, bring a good one. |
| * Food: |
Dependent on cooking abilities of you/ your peers. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Total local immersion including staying with host families, camping in locals yards etc. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The instructors and many students are wilderness first responder certified and most health issues were dealt with internally. Definitely bring your own personal well stocked first aid kit with medications you take often as some may not be available unless you bring them. |
| * Safety: |
By nature there is risk involved in this program but we tried as a group to minimize it to the best of our collective ability. It quickly became apparent that students need to advocate for their own safety as far as making sure we have access to first aid kits, satellite phones etc. in case of an emergency. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes, although the program is still growing and has issues on the academic and research method side the experiences, places, and people were incredible and going through it with such a small tight-knit group is a bonding experience like no other. |
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) |
Spent less than $200 the whole program. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $5-$10, sometimes none, food is included. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Drinking alcohol on the program is probably the most costly thing. |
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 |
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| 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? | none |
| 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? | Don't go into this program with no Spanish experience, though it is not required, some speaking skills will greatly enhance your experience. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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 had had some basic knowledge of Spanish, being able to communicate would have made my experience easier and better. |
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. |
