I wouldn't change a thing Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Go into this program realizing that you won't be learning about Madagascar in the classroom. If you like learning by people telling you what to do or through books, then this may not be the program for you. Learning in this program entirely revolves around your willingness to try new things and immerse yourself in the Malagasy culture while having constant conversations with your host family, your class mates, and your amazing teachers!

On-site administration of your program

Madagascar is probably as different from the United States than you can possibly find on our planet. The people are amazing, it is relatively safe, and is full of incredibly unique flora and fauna. All this together will make your head spin. Sometimes it will be hard; Madagascar can be unforgiving from the oppressive heat and relentless rain storms to the malaria and parasites to the oppressive poverty that the people live in, but is the most beautiful place you'll ever go.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved living in my host family's run-down house, and in my tent, so this was good for me. If you're more of a plush hotel person, may I recommend Paris.

Hope you like rice!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This is the program's strongest aspect. It is very scary to embark on a program like this. I was personally petrified to move into my host family's home and only speak French all semester, but this fear turned to excitement within minutes of moving into my host family's place.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had a few experiences with health care, as we all did. Madagascar does not have great health care, and there are lots of pathogens to watch out for. But you'll get through it and return home just fine. The instructors are very used to dealing with the typical maladies like diarrhea, parasites, and even malaria, so they'll help the best they can. Bring pro-biotics!

As long as you move around in groups (girls especially), then you'll be just fine. Sometimes, you may feel more in danger than you probably are just since it's a very different place, but the whole community of Fort Dauphin is looking out for you, they know there is a big population of American Students running around, so they'll have your back. Again, this was easy for me to say since I was a guy. The girls sometimes had to deal with lots of cat calling and even some moderate stalking, but violence against foreign women in Madagascar is almost unheard of.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

If you picked up and moved to Madagascar with $1000 in your pocket, you could live comfortably without any other income for about 5 months. I literally spent about $200 including wifi usage, beer, extra food, and plenty of souvenirs.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We spoke French in class and had to speak it with most locals since picking up Malagasy is tough. Since most of us were struggling with our French knowledge, it was difficult to also pick up Malagasy, but we all learned the basic structure, and how to say basic sentences.

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• Host Family
• Hotel
• Hostel

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• Local Students
• Americans
• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans

• The cultural experience and the experiential learning
• The independence
• The country overall (the biodiversity, landscapes, people, etc)

• The head instructor was a weak leader

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer