Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Nepal Was Great; Academics Were Fine Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/26/2016 to 05/09/2016 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?
It was definitely worthwhile. I learned the most probably about myself and how I function far removed from all of my material comforts.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I've thought a lot about this, but I think I would do the same program again. I learned a lot during my three months in Nepal, I just wish I would have learned more from the SIT staff.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20 USD

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

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? Arabic 302
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

  • 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?
  • Host family
  • Host culture
  • Independence
* What could be improved?
  • Academic programming
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about what would be expected of me academically. There was so much work yet I feel like I learned the most from just being there!

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:

Field Methods and Ethics
Course Department:
Instructor: Daniel Putnam
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Not challenging, very frustrating. I learned more by doing my ISP and from talking with my peers.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Nepali Language
Course Department:
Instructor: Mina Rana, Chandra Rana, Sanjib Pokherel
Instruction Language: Nepali
Comments: Very challenging but worth it. The teachers were fantastic and I learned a lot!
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Development and Social Change Seminar
Course Department:
Instructor: Daniel Putnam
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This seminar was very frustrating because of the lectures. Our academic director gave most lectures that I could have simply read from a textbook. Otherwise, guest lecturers were lovely people but failed to captivate the attention of our class.
Credit Transfer Issues: