Summer School Done Right! Past Review
By A student (Conservation Studies, Colby College) - abroad from 06/19/2015 to 08/03/2015 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Taku River Watershed Program
This experience really highlights the importance of people in the environment as the TRTFN have demonstrated their extensive background on the land, with minimal impact and negative effects. I really grew to appreciate the ability to exist harmoniously on the land recognizing the gifts that are being given in the form of food, shelter, and water. I would absolutely say that this program is worthwhile since it teaches not only key conservation ideas and field methodology, but also mixes in the contextual information about the local environment and history to make sense of all the work that has been done here.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The coursework was very well structured as it could have been overwhelming considering the topics covered in such a compact time frame. However it did not feel overwhelming and flowed nicely with all the field work that was being done. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
While we were on the program, it was very well organized and incorporated a good amount of flexibility for weather and other unforseen circumstances that could change the specific times and dates that we had lessons and surveys scheduled. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living in a tent for the entirety of the program. It was also very nice to have running water and a functional kitchen while we were in Atlin. |
| * Food: |
It was truly enjoyable to cook meals for the other students and see what recipes they wanted to share with the rest of us! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
By the end of the stay it was hard to walk away since we had met so many amazing people, all of whom were eager to share with us. It really speaks bounds about the reputation the Round River has built up over the time they have been on the Taku. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
All of the leaders balanced the risk and rewards of being in pretty backcountry settings very well. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | None, all the food was built into the program costs |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish that I had known that we would have had access to washing machines because I would not have brought as many clothes. |
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. |
