No bad days Past Review

By Hannah S (Geography and Cartography., Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/27/2014 to 12/09/2014 with

SIT Study Abroad Nepal: Development, Gender, and Social Change in the Himalaya

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

"Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves ... Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer" - R.M Rilke

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The program staff and program house staff at SIT Nepal are fantastic. The academic director has been there a while and knows the ropes. Together making a great program.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My homestay families were fantastic. Your experience is what you make of it, and the more energy you put into your homestay the more you will get in return.
* Food:	If you like rice and vegetables a couple times a day, everyday - awesome! If you need to mix it up every night - not going to happen. There are expat restaurants in Kathmandu where a variety of food is available.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	My integration with the local culture improved as my language skills did. After the initial culture shock of being in a foreign country wore off, and I began to explore and become familiar with my neighborhood and different places in the city, my integration increased. I was still treated like a tourist, but with my Nepali language skills, things became easier.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Healthcare was great. We were shown the clinic on day 4, talked to by the people there about potential problems that may occur. I only visited there once and they were extremely helpful, supportive and got me feeling better within a few days. They know the problems that exist in Nepal, and know the remedies to cure them.
* Safety:	For the most part I felt extremely safe. My homestay family ensured that I was well taken care of. Driving in taxis and crossing the streets is always something that is concerning at first and takes some getting used to. There is small petty theft, but if you are spatially aware of your surroundings you will be okay.
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)	It is quite easy to live on a minimal budget because of the low cost of anything and everything in Nepal.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Between $10-$20

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	You had to use it. Lots of our families didn't speak that much english so it was critical.
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?	Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Spanish 300
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?	Be open minded about the language and practice, practice, practice with anyone and everyone.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	International Students
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?	Field Excursions Homestay Family Exploring the City
* What could be improved?	Less academic focus Longer/More excursions More advising
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Any abroad experience is what you make it, so make the most out of your time.

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 Adventurer The 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Development and Social Change
Course Department:
Instructor:	Daniel Putnam
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was great! The field trip locations were an excellent chance to look at development on a personal level in Nepal. Dan studied development theories throughout his acedemic years and has lived in Nepal for a significant amount of time. He is well versed in the details of development in Nepal. The guest lecturers we had on a nearly daily basis were incredible as well. Their personal experience, growing up and living in Nepal was great. I participated in class more often than I would at Middlebury and the class size was nice and small. The discussion style arrangement catered to conversations. The papers were a proper assessment of what we learned.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Field Methods and Ethics
Course Department:
Instructor:	Daniel Putnam
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Good field methods course. The debriefs after our field excursions were a great way to reflect on what we saw, what we learned and what needed to be improved if anything.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Nepali Language
Course Department:
Instructor:	Mina Rana, Chandra Rana, Sanjib Pokhrel, Sadhana and Amita
Instruction Language:	Nepali
Comments:	Great teachers! They were supportive and reassuring. I went from not speaking a work of Nepali to conducting interviews. There was no option NOT to participate, forcing us all to get over our fear of failure and commit to learning a new language. The classes are everyday, long and hard, but totally worth it for assimilation into the local community and for better understanding the culture.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Independent Study Project
Course Department:
Instructor:	Self
Instruction Language:	Engligh/Nepali
Comments:	The ISP is a great way to learn about field methods as well as the development of Nepal, while focusing on an area of interest to you. It teaches you how to accommodate the cultural norms into your effort of receiving information and researching in a foreign country.
Credit Transfer Issues:	There will be a hold on your transcript until you have your ISP proposal approved by a Middlebury Professor.