Challenging but Worth It Past Review
By Andrea T (International Relations And Global Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/04/2012 to 12/16/2012 with
SIT Study Abroad: Cameroon - Development and Social Change
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a ton about myself and how I deal with loneliness and being a radically different culture 24/7. It was really hard but I'm really happy that I did it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Really depends on how much you want to spend. You could spend nothing in theory. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You can eat really cheap and pretty well if you want. Host families provide a lot of food. |
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 |
Outside the classroom we spoke it a lot (not with each other,) and about 50% of classes were in French |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced |
| 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 be afraid to make mistakes, everyone is really nice there. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I am independent and can deal with anything. |
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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
French |
| Course Department: | French |
| Instructor: | Mme. Arlette |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | Not challenging, I already knew everything we were taught despite the fact that I was placed in the superior level. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
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