Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

ISP, language instruction, and cultural experience make it worth it 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?
Cultural experiences

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.

Nepali language instruction was excellent, the teachers were dedicated and I felt that I really got a handle on the language. All other instruction was rather poor, particularly the Nepali history instruction, which was led by a right-wing monarchist.

* 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?

you have to use a clinic if you get sick, its expensive

* Safety:

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

ISP was a very cool opportunity, as was the opportunity to live in Nepal. I would consider this program, the development one, over the Tibetan people program (also by SIT) because of the language instruction.

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)

Kathmandu is very inexpensive to live in. Some other cities, like Pokhara are more expensive, but overall food is very cheap in Nepal.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Very little until ISP
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No

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? 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? Use it at your homestay as much as possible and study

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?
  • Homestay
  • ISP
  • Being in Kathmandu and in Trekking regions
* What could be improved?
  • Better instruction in non-language courses
  • Dan, the program head, was difficult to deal with
  • --
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I got out of Kathmandu for ISP and recommend that others consider going elsewhere for their independent study as well

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:

Nepali
Course Department: SIT Abroad
Instructor: Various
Instruction Language: Nepali/ English
Comments: Excellent instruction
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues
Course Name/Rating:

Development Theory
Course Department: SIT
Instructor: Dan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Poor course
Credit Transfer Issues: No Issues