An Incredible Incredible Program Past Review
By Wassa B (International Relations, Brown University) - abroad from 08/18/2019 to 12/11/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: IHP Climate Change - The Politics of Land, Water, and Energy Justice
I think this program is essential to understanding environmental justice outside of the US. I truly think it will guide my career and activism interests.
Review Photos
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. |
This program is an INCREDIBLE opportunity to study climate justice with people at the frontlines of the climate crisis. SIT/IHP does such a thorough job taking care of its students and ensuring that we evaluate our positionality as we visit different communities. I couldn't have asked for a better program. |
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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? |
Housing ranges from hostels, homestays (which I LOVED), and hotels! |
| * Food: |
The food is the best part of this program. You should definitely explore food you're not used to in each country. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program has a traveling fellow to help with group dynamics and learning! I think it's also great that everyone who is on this program really wants to be there, so you're surrounded by people who are as enthusiastic as you are |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I cannot speak to physical accessibility, but the program does have mental health counselors who you can call consistently throughout the program. We always travel with a first aid kit, and in every new place, we have an orientation with information on health and resources. |
| * Safety: |
In each country, you get cards with emergency contact information. I always knew who to call and where to go if there was an emergency. |
| 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) |
SIT gives you a food and transportation stipend in each country. Also, the US dollar was stronger in each place we visited, so outside expenses (like gifts) were relatively cheap. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | In some countries, your food stipend is wayyy more than you may need. Save it for other countries! |
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 |
We get survival Vietnamese, Darija, and Spanish classes. How frequently you use the languages is up to you. I was able to practice my Spanish and French in Morocco. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | 7 years of Spanish, one college year of French |
| 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 get discouraged when people want to speak English to you. Odds are they want to practice |
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? | You never really stay in a place for more than ten days! |
