Excellent experience Past Review
By Jiachen Z (Sociology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/03/2019 to 12/16/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad Nepal: Development, Gender, and Social Change in the Himalaya
I learned a new language, made friends with local people and gained more confidence.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Personally, I don't think the program is too intense though many of my friends think so. The language classes were pretty rigorous though considering it's a 6 credit course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I love my homestay family but I do see the uneven distribution of it. |
| * Food: |
While living with your homestay, the food is very likely to be similar every day. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program did a good job helping students emerging in local culture, especially because you are living with a local homestay. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Many students had health issues during the program. I would say if you are in Kathmandu, health care is very accessible and everything is covered in health insurance, but if you have any major health issues during the excursion it might be a problem. |
| * Safety: |
Overall Nepal is pretty safe. Nepalis are very friendly and welcoming to foreigners. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Overall, I really stepped out of my comfort zone and did so many things for the first time during this program. I also really liked Nepal and its culture. |
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) |
Nepal is a cheap country, not to say most of the things are covered by the program. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go shopping too much and you are good. |
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 |
You kind of have to use the language because you are living with a homestay and many Nepalis can't speak English. |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to talk to local people. |
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? | how much time you need to devote to learning the language though it's necessary and rewarding |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
