A semester of constant migration, powerful stories, and many questions. Past Review
By A student (Berea College) - abroad from 08/13/2017 to 12/02/2017 with
SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Health and Community: Globalization, Culture and Care (Fall 1)
As I said earlier, I do think I became a more flexible and more resilient traveler. I think I grew in terms of my ability to understand the elements of a new cultural context. In addition to stories, advice, and questions I gained from the semester, I also think i gained a greater respect and appreciation for what it means to travel and to be a part of a different cultural context, and I don't think I would have gotten that in the same way with any other program.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
In comparison to my campus curriculum, I would definitely say that it was not as academically challenging. That said, the assignments I had did force me to think critically and to reflect on the program experiences I had, and I would even say that the assignments helped me to synthesize what I was learning inside and outside the classroom. |
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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? |
My home-stays were my most favorite part of my experiences. The interim housing between homestays throughout the semester was not as wonderful, but only once did the housing I received take away from my program experience. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because I had a traveling semester, where I spent much foo my program time as part of a group, it made it more challenging to build local connections. That said, time out with home-stay families and individual time with local staff were great ways to work on feeling more culturally integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
While I did have concerns about the program structure and the program's engagement (or lack thereof) with social concerns that were present in the places we visited and among our group, this program allowed me to become a more resilient traveler, and this program allowed me to learn more the value of local voices and the value of learning from people's stories. |
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) |
There were proposed social excursions that I was not able to participate in because of my budget, but I understand that and I am okay with that. Managing my personal budget was challenge though, as many of the other students on my program come from much different socio-economic backgrounds as me, and their actions and choices reflected this. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try your best to operate on a similar budget that you would at your home institution. Also, understand the fact that you can have enriching experiences that do not involve spending extravagant amounts of money. While it is a once in a lifetime experience, there are still ways you can ensure you do not overspend. Treat budgeting like brushing your teeth-- do it regularly, |
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 wish I knew how little agency I would have in determining my schedule each day and on weekends. |
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.' |
