Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Semester of a lifetime Past Review

By (Economics., Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2013 to 12/09/2013 with

SIT Study Abroad: India: Public Health, Policy Advocacy, and Community

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
So incredibly worthwhile. I gained insight into myself and my future studies all while interacting with a strange new culture.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Though course work wise, we had less than typically do at Middlebury, given the circumstances, it was just as taxing as life here.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Wonderful, wonderful support. I appreciated that they had run the program several times before.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great, and had a sweet roommate too.

* Food:

SO wonderful.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very. I loved that I commuted to school and felt able to move around on my own in a new environment.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Was all good for me.

* Safety:

I always travelled in groups, so felt pretty safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Very minimal expenses

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Very Little, maybe $15-20
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not really, India is pretty inexpensive so it was easy.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

With the homestay it was especially encouraged.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
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? None
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? Learn the alphabet beforehand!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Classes
  • The country
  • Our excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Better communication about expectations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You are going to be homesick, you are going to have bad days, but it will all be worth it in the end.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Field Methods and Ethics
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Azim
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Yes, valuable to have taken.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introductory Hindi
Course Department: Language
Instructor: Bhavna ji
Instruction Language: Hindi
Comments: Maybe one of the harder classes I've taken. But very worthwhile.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Politics and Economies of Public Health
Course Department: Politcal Economics
Instructor: Azim Khan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: So interesting and great readings.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Capacity Building, NGOs and healthcare delivery
Course Department: Interdepartmental
Instructor: Azim
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A little disorganized, but overall valuable.
Credit Transfer Issues: