A unique experience in an incredible part of the world Past Review
By A student (Stanford University) - abroad from 09/08/2015 to 12/08/2015 with
SIT Study Abroad: Nepal - Tibetan and Himalayan Peoples
Learning how to conduct ethnographic research; building the confidence to investigate questions in a foreign linguistic and cultural environment; making lifelong friends; exploring Nepal and India for the first time. Overall an incredible experience.
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. |
Great instructions from professors with diverse expertise, who pushed students to challenge themselves while still providing great support. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Smoothly run |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Homestays with local Tibetan families was a unique learning experience and also quite lovely |
| * Food: |
Freshly prepared local food every day was delicious |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Homestays were a great opportunity to meet locals. The month-long Independent Study Project also forced students to immerse themselves in a new environment and build connections with locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Kathmandu obviously has some dangers, especially with regards to traffic. More than enough information was provided on this, with even a trip to a local clinic to discuss and concerns students had. |
| 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? | $20 |
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 |
We were encouraged to use the language during our homestays |
| 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? |
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? | I wish I'd done more reading on Nepali politics so I had a deeper understanding of the local context. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
