Experience of a lifetime June 25, 2024
By Colin L (Environmental Science, University of Washington) - abroad from 02/18/2024 to 05/29/2024 with
SIT Study Abroad: Iceland - Climate Change and the Arctic
Gave me a new perspective of the world. I especially learned a lot during the ISP period, doing research with the Icelandic Seal Center.
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. |
Great, immersive experience overall. Courses are relatively easy but engaging with lots of outdoor activities. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Academic director and local coordinator are amazing and supportive. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with a local host family is a lot of fun and arguably one of my favorite parts of the program. You have to organize your own housing during the ISP period, which gives you a lot of flexibility (stipends provided). Plan early!! |
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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: |
Safest place you could ever be. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Living cost is pretty expensive in Iceland but stipends are generally enough to cover everything. |
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 |
There are lessons that teach you Icelandic, and you are also encouraged to learn Icelandic from your host family and talk to locals. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
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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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? | Details of logistics, better preparation for the weather (snow pants, thermals, etc.) |
