The trip of a lifetime Past Review
By A student (College of Saint Benedict and Saint Johns University) - abroad from 01/21/2020 to 04/15/2020 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program
I learned about the importance of human inclusion in conservation and how great it can be to feel uncomfortable. It was 100% worthwhile.
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. |
Academics were rigourous and extremely valuable. However, instructors were understanding and reasonable with your workload after spending an eight hour day doing field research. |
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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? |
Some of the most beautiful camping sights I have ever been to in my life. I had more access to warm showers and running water than I was expecting going into the program. |
| * Food: |
Students are responsible for meal planning, purchasing, and cooking all meals. However, all meals are included within the program fee and you will not have to spend any money on food throughout the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were doing a fair bit of field research but the instructors made sure we had plentiful opportunities to learn about, experience, and interact with Patagonian culture. We had an opportunity to live with a Patagonian family for a week which was invaluable in learning about local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
While in the field I completely trusted my leaders medical expertise. However, I did contract a parasite from an unknown source which I was not able to have treated until I returned back to the states due to lack of testing. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in town and in the field. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved being able to experience a culture completely unlike anything I have experienced in the states. I enjoyed the retreat from constant access to technology, forming close bonds with other participants, the ability to partake in meaningful conservation research, and the beauty of the area. |
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) |
If you wanted to, you could still live comfortably without spending a single dollar on the whole trip. However, spending money was nice to purchase snacks, drinks, and gifts. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $15 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Money should not be an issue. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | To bring a music speaker and weight does matter of backpacking trips. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
