Vazaha Miteny Gasy Past Review
By Ione H (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/23/2018 to 05/07/2018 with
SIT Study Abroad: Madagascar - Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management
This program was extremely worthwhile. I learned about the landscapes, biodiversity, and culture of Madagascar. I learned about the ways in which conservation can have dramatic impacts on local peoples and about the ways that America and other western powers can have major impacts on the lives of people all over the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic rigor itself was not particularly intense, but since living in Madagascar is such an intense and challenging learning experience on its own, it's probably for the best that the formal learning experience is more relaxed than most American college students are accustomed to. |
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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? |
I wish that my host family had been a little more interested in getting to know me personally, and that my parents had spoken French and/or English. It was hard to get to know a family that spoke only Malagasy (a language that I was in the process of learning throughout my time there). |
| * Food: |
My host family struggled with the idea of vegetarianism and often didn't give me any protein, but the food at the program center was always good! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I really loved connecting with the culture through learning the language and living with a variety of host families in rural and urban centers. This was one of my favorite aspects of the program!! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Many people got infected bug bites, but as soon as they were given medical attention they recovered. If you're considering this program, you're likely very aware of the possible health issues/diseases you could potentially contract, but as long as you're careful the chances are very small that you'll get anything. The program was very on top of things when they came up. For example, if people felt nauseous, they were administered malaria tests, etc. just to be safe. It's just important to communicate if you're feeling strange in any way! |
| * Safety: |
There are some safety concerns in Antalaha, especially after dark, but the program does a good job of making sure the students know what these concerns are and how to avoid them/handle them. They also always had individuals on call to help us if we were to get into trouble. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This experience was definitely the most challenging of my lifetime. While it definitely wasn't perfect, the friends and connections I made both with my fellow American students and with this country and the culture are priceless. I learned so much during my semester abroad, not just about Madagascar but about the world as a whole and about myself. I would absolutely choose this program again. |
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) |
The American dollar goes extremely far in Madagascar, and unless you're spending money on outside things (clothes, expensive food, etc.) the program takes care of all your expenses. The only time you might have to dip into your own money is during the Independent Study Portion, and this depends on where you're planning to study/live. If you're determined, it is quite doable to plan an ISP that will be well within the budgetary limits of the SIT stipend. This program is extremely cheap overall (except for the plane ticket). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I didn't have to spend anything (food and travel expenses were covered by SIT) but I spent an average of $30 per week on extras (including souvenirs, gifts for friends/family members back home, going out with friends, drinks, etc.) All of these expenses were voluntary. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For myself, I know that I tend to be bad at budgeting. I definitely spent more money than most of the other students. If you don't want to spend money, all you have to do is be aware of it. Things are very cheap in Madagascar, and you can easily not spend money. |
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 |
This program actually has focus on two languages: French and Malagasy. Both are absolutely necessary to living in the city of Antalaha, since nearly all of the locals don't speak English - and not all of them speak French. Every host family has at least one member who speaks French very well. Your use of Malagasy depends on how much you want to use it, but it is practically guaranteed by the end of the program you will know the basics. I learned more Malagasy than most (simply due to my host family situation, it was necessary) but many people utilized their French more, etc. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 32A (third semester of college) and no Malagasy experience |
| 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 try and learn Malagasy before you go! You'll just have to unlearn it because we learned a specific dialect that can't be found online. DO try and review French, and if you can, take a refresher course the semester before you go abroad. I wish I had done this! I would've felt much more prepared for the experience. |
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? | Practice your French! And don't pack too much clothing - anything you need you can find there for very cheap. DO bring plenty of sunscreen and toiletries - they're either extremely expensive or very poor quality in Madagascar. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
