A Wonderful Life Experience! Past Review
By Sonja O (Anthropology, Bryn Mawr College) - abroad from 09/01/2020 to 12/14/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: India - Sustainable Development and Social Change
I learned how to navigate new cultural context, and be comfortable and confident in unfamiliar settings. I learned so much about practicing and implementing sustainability. I also made amazing friends and memories!!
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. |
This is an academically rigorous program. The SIT staff are so kind, and very helpful if you have any questions or need help. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Jaipur SIT staff are wonderful people with kind hearts. I learned so much during my time with them, and they do everything they can to create a happy and safe learning envioment. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I have an excellent relationship with my host family, and even though I have been back in the USA for a few months, I still often talk to my host sister and host mother. SIT really works to pair you with a family that will match your needs and personality. |
| * Food: |
Incredibly delicious. The food that I had with SIT is some of the best food I have had in my entire life, and I haven't been able to find my favorite dishes that are comparable back home. It also was very easy to either be a vegetarian or to eat meat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Navigating Jaipur is a little tricky, but SIT takes precautions to help keep their students safe. At the beginning of the program there is a two week transition period where you learn everything you might need to know in terms of safety and navigation. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Most weeks I spent less than $20. |
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 |
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| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | I wish I had brought better luggage that was easy to carry, but not too small for week long excursions. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
