Genuinely Valuable Abroad Experience Past Review
By Daniel B (Physics., Ithaca College) - abroad from 08/20/2012 to 12/15/2012 with
SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Cities in the 21st Century: People, Planning and Politics (Fall 2)
I learned that study abroad trip isn't about partying and glorified travel. Other programs focus on 'local culture integration' through free time and a lack of academic rigor, but entirely miss the value of experiential learning with guidance and academic intensity. Provided program opportunities were far greater than those which I (or any group of American Students) could have found on my own.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Appropriate academic rigor, challenging and inspiring professor-student relationships. Intense expectations and fantastic support. Assistance making conceptual gaps. Professors were excellent resources, country coordinators and home-stays were well organized, and incredibly connected. |
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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? |
Home-stays were comfortable and well inspected prior to our arrival. Appropriate for my living condition expectations. |
| * Food: |
Covered many different cuisines, home-stays led to home cooked meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not only did the IHP program allow us to study unique issues, we took site visits to many sites we read about and saw the issues first hand. Met with many local people, especially those in touch with and those that are proud of the cultural differences. Entire course dedicated to Culture and Societies. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Other students were helped when needed. |
| * Safety: |
Many cities, with different security considerations. Lectured upon arrival, and reminded consistently about safety concerns of each place. |
| 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) |
Food provided largely by home-stays. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Less than $70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save money for the week vacation in South Africa if attending the Fall program. |
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 |
Home-stays encouraged language interaction. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School. |
| 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? | Read 'Welcome to ____' packets and practice the essentials. |
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? | World is my oyster. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
