AMAZING Past Review
By A student (Carnegie Mellon University) - abroad from 02/02/2016 to 05/16/2016 with
SIT Study Abroad: Bolivia - Multiculturalism, Globalization, and Social Change
I learned so much about myself, my place in the world as a US citizen and helped develop my academic interests in Latin America, indigenous culture and immigration.
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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Heidi, the program director, is incredible!!! She is the most thoughtful and supportive program director you could imagine. All of the classes are catered to the interests of the students and extremely well thought out. She is the best!! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I LOVED my host family! I still talk to my host mom every week since I've returned. They were the most welcoming people and I learned so much being a part of their family. They helped me with my Spanish, taught me about their culture and politics, and made me a real member of their family. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Cochabamba is the best city to study abroad because it is not touristy at all so you get a super local feel. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The programs on call medical person is the head of the children's hospital in Cochabamba so there was great medical care. |
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This was the most life changing program and I loved everything about it! |
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? | I don't know exactly, but you get a stipend on every excursion and usually have extra money from that. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| 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 |
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 I knew how great Heidi was before I had gone! |
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.' |
