An incredible program Past Review
By Olivia K (Columbia University) - abroad from 08/21/2017 to 12/04/2017 with
SIT Study Abroad: Bolivia - Multiculturalism, Globalization, and Social Change
I learned how to think of colonialism and neo-colonialism in a new perspective, I learned a basic level of Quechua, and I made very deep friendships with Bolivians and my fellow classmates. It was very challenging but incredible.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was extremely engaged with the academics on this program. The focus across all of our classes was decolonization, and we had a number of guest lecturers lead our classes that were mostly local people and extremely intelligent in their field. I also learned a lot from the in-field rural experiences by getting the opportunity to develop relationships with people outside of the classroom setting. It is a lot of work on this program, especially in your final research project, but it is an integral part of the experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration was incredible, we all got to be very close with the administration and they are loving, organized, and caring people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My first host family was not a good fit but the program switched me to another family who were incredible and I got especially close with my host sisters. The program always pairs you with a family with siblings, which is really great because you are able to meet a lot of young people in Bolivia through this. |
| * Food: |
The food in Bolivia is delicious and mostly local. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated into the local culture because I got to be close friends with my host sister's group of friends. I spent just as much time, or more time, with Bolivians than with other students on my program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My health was very well taken care of both by SIT and by hospitals in Bolivia. I did not have serious health issues, only a fever and sore throat once, but it was easy to get medication to help. |
| * Safety: |
Cochabamba is very safe and I never felt in danger. Just take simple precautions like you would in any city, like calling for a taxi instead of getting into a random taxi, and buying your own drinks for example instead of accepting them from others. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program challenged my perspective in a way that I have brought back to the United States, about the way colonization continues into today and also I learned so much about the richness of Andean culture. I would definitely do it 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) |
I found it very easy to live on a student budget in Cochabamba. I even had time to travel at the end of the program with money from the stipend I didn't spend during the semester. |
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 |
I had the opportunity to take Quechua because I passed out of the Spanish requirement and this was a very special experience. We did a lot of trips to rural areas where I was able to practice speaking and also I heard and spoke Quechua in Cochabamba often. |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had already completed the full language requirement at Columbia, and I found this helpful because there are a lot of Bolivians, including my host family, that don't speak any English. |
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? | It is very hard and unlike a lot of other study abroad programs in this way. The program is very self-concious of itself as a program of Americans in Bolivia, but this is what makes the program so challenging. You are constantly challenging your positionally and learning from these experiences. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
