Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It's Nepal, man February 10, 2024

By (Computer Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/05/2024 to 12/18/2025 with

SIT Study Abroad: Nepal - Tibetan and Himalayan Peoples

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to operate freely but respectfully in a culture completely different to my own. I also learned how to think critically about complex issues without taking sides.

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.

Resources were vast, not incredibly rigorous but the ceiling is so high for what you may choose to accomplish, given how great the support is.

* 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

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)

I spent a good bit of money, but I could've gotten away with spending nearly nothing (skipping out on restaurant meals + drinks).

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? While everything is pretty cheap in Nepal, that can lead to heavy consumer habits that drive up expenses. It all adds up!

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

There was no "language pledge" and you can get away with using little to no tibetan, but no one does that. It's encouraged to use the language everywhere you go.

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I took an intermediate spanish class freshman year, but that of course did not apply to learning tibetan.
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? Just use it.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The people
  • The food
  • The land
* What could be improved?
  • More tibetan immersion. Like can't speak english immersion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Hard to say

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:

Tibetan Language
Course Department: /
Instructor: /
Instruction Language: /
Comments: Challenging yes, but not too much pressure.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues yet
Course Name/Rating:

Politics and Borders
Course Department: /
Instructor: /
Instruction Language: /
Comments: Lots of experiential learning here. Participation was fun and encouraged. We were given feedback on papers but no grades until the end. That was ok.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Religious Change
Course Department: /
Instructor: /
Instruction Language: /
Comments: Same as Politics and Borders
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Field Ethics
Course Department: /
Instructor: /
Instruction Language: /
Comments: Challenging yes, but most rewarding class. Capstone was the ISP period, where you learn by doing.
Credit Transfer Issues: No