Humbling and Exhilarating Past Review
By David O (Public and Community Service, Providence College) - abroad from 01/21/2013 to 05/19/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Cities in the 21st Century: People, Planning and Politics
I was able to compare large issues through small experiences. I learned Wolof, which they speak in Senegal and have been able to use this many times in other parts of the world when I meet Senegalese vendors. I learned the importance of informal and formal settings. I learned to question everything. I learned to let people speak for themselves.
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. |
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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? |
Compared to other study abroad groups that we had interacted with along our travels, we were more integrated in a quicker time and also more aware of the various places that were "non-touristy" |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
NA but when there was an issue the fellow and faculty addressed the issue quickly and professionally and were there for emotional support |
| * Safety: |
Every City we went to was known to have safety issues however our coordinators advised us well. There were several pick-pockets, robberies, but no one was seriously injured. |
| 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) |
Things were very cheap and students could spend a very little amount each week or spend as if things were going out of style. I never felt that things were to costly and would only have to hold back from eating out a lot and buying expensive things, which are things I normally do. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring sunscreen to Africa. Eat where the locals eat. Shop around when buying gifts and compare prices. Be patient when shopping. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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 should have kept a better journal of my experiences. Put more time into the comparative analysis. Go on adventures and don't start to fall into a routine. |
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.' |
