Academic, personal and professional growth - IHP will change your life! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned the most during this semester than any other 4 month block in my life. From about 8:30 to 5:30 five days a week, I was either in class or in the field. Field-based learning was incredible, as we usually spent several half days each week meeting with government officials, NGOs, or just exploring different neighborhoods and talking to people. Guest lectures were also really great resources for our classroom learning. The academic rigor is different than it is at Middlebury. IHP classes tend to have less reading and less work, but there is so much less time to complete everything. I would say that the most valuable educational experiences came from hands-on learning, while the classes were meant to provide theoretical frameworks and allow for class discussion.

On-site administration of your program

The host country program admins really varied across the three countries and influenced the efficiency, productiveness and general vibe of the program. Some were definitely better than others.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It's hard to get close with families when you are only staying with them for a month and are so busy, but most people in the group seemed to have positive home stay experiences. IHP does a good job of building relationships with invested families over the years.

Breakfasts and dinners during the week were provided by our home stay families and we usually got stipends for lunch. The food in each city/homestay varied but there was always plenty of food.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It's hard to be fully integrated when you only have one month in the city, but since we explored so many different areas of the city and lived with families, I felt quite integrated. However, since we took classes within the IHP program, it was hard to meet local students besides home stay siblings.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had several health problems along the way (in São Paulo and Cape Town) and program administrators were helpful in ensuring that I received immediate health care when necessary. The hospitals and doctors offices I went to were fine and I went with a translator when necessary. However, I felt that no one was really looking out for me to check up on my recover after I went to the doctor and got medicine.

Our group had several safety-related incidents in Cape Town and one or two in São Paulo (mostly theft). Although unfortunate, the incidents were mostly unavoidable and a consequence of living in a city. Even still, I think that the program administrators could have done a better job communicating issues, concerns, and plans for how to avoid being victims of crime.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I did not spend much of my own money except for vacation, which was 5 days in South Africa. During that period of time, we had to pay for our own accommodations, food, etc. Otherwise, the only money I spent was on food or gifts for the family (but most meals were provided by the program). The exchange rates in all three cities were very helpful!

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Hotel
• Hostel

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• The academic focus on comparative urban studies
• Field-based learning including neighborhood days and site visits to different areas of each city
• The group of students - I have never been in a class with such inspirational, motivated, and critical individuals who all intend to change the world in some way

• Better integrating classroom work with field-based learning
• Having more time to synthesize information and reflect on what students have learned and experienced
• Having the opportunity to meet more local students

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer