Kenya: Love at first sight. Past Review
By Graciela Q (International Relations and Affairs., Carleton College) for
SIT Study Abroad: Kenya - Global Health and Human Rights
Absolutely. I have a much better understanding of another culture and of myself. The experience has helped me solidify what I want to do with my life as well as show me what life has to offer.
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. |
The lectures and experience in the classroom was not on par with what I am used to at my home university. Yet my academic directors were very good about planning visits and trips that gave us a lot of opportunities to learn through experience, which I think is the best way to learn, especially when studying abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There was quite a bit of disorganization but I came to learn that was more due to a difference in culture than to anyone's inability. My expectations for the program were completely fulfilled. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The food was good, although I wish we were either given money to buy our own breakfast or our host families were instructed to provide us with more. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The trip to Tanzania, our rural homestay, the days in Mombasa were my favorite parts of the trips. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
We were always told when a thread had been made and given good advice and instructions on where was safe and where was not. |
| 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? | I spent more money than I thought I would on buying food that I did not feel I was provided with during my homestay in Nairobi. Breakfast consisted of bread and on the weekends I was not home that much so I did not eat meals at home. We get plenty of money from SIT, however, so if you manage your money well you should be fine. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | We were not told about the $100 visa fee to get into Tanzania. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had not taken any courses in Kiswahili before the program. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Many people spoke English but there were many situations where I had to rely on what I learned in my class. |
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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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? | Be flexible and open-minded. Someone who wants the experience rather than the classes. |
