Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The adventure of a lifetime. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/21/2017 to 12/04/2017 with

SIT Study Abroad: Madagascar - Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This program exposed me to a part of the world I had never experienced. I learned so much about the culture and about myself, and I loved it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This semester was the most incredible four months of my life. I learned more than I have ever learned in the classic university classroom environment.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Kind of chaotic but it worked.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I got very lucky with my host families.

* Food:

Amazing food, so fresh--gave me an entirely different energy than processed food from home. Didn't LOVE wondering whether I would get typhoid with every meal though.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Best four months of my life. I think about it every day.

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? $5
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It is very easy to not spend a lot of money in Madagascar.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 200 level in college
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? Use the language at all possible opportunities!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Freedom
  • Host stay
  • Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • More organized
  • More interesting readings
  • Longer!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring books! It is impossible to find english or even french books in Mada. Other than that, travel light.

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 Adventurer
The 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Research Methods and Ethics
Course Department: Biology/Ecology
Instructor: Barry Ferguson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Loved this course! Not intensely rigorous, but definitely compelling and I learned a lot.
Credit Transfer Issues: No, it transferred fine.
Course Name/Rating:

French for the Natural Sciences
Course Department: French
Instructor: Jim Hansen
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Learned so much french!! Definitely improved my speaking skills.
Credit Transfer Issues: No, it transferred.
Course Name/Rating:

Malagasy
Course Department: Language
Instructor: N'aina
Instruction Language: Malagasy
Comments: Very challenging but fun.
Credit Transfer Issues: Did not try to transfer this credit.