Incredible Opportunity for Research/Field Experience and Amazing Memories Past Review
By A student (Davidson College) - abroad from 08/27/2019 to 12/09/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Panama - Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation
I learned so much about myself, how to perform scientific research, and so much Spanish. I have zero regrets about going.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although not particularly academically rigorous, the opportunity to do field work and work with professors at the tops of their fields was incredible. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The academic advisor, field coordinator, and homestay coordinator were all amazingly kind, supportive, and knowledgable people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Do not expect luxury. We always had enough to eat, somewhere to sleep, and incredibly accommodating and kind hosts. |
| * Food: |
Panama isn't known for its food, and you'll come to both love and hate it. Plenty of opportunity to choose your own food in the City or on free days. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was difficult to integrate given the nature of the program, being with the same American students all the time, but having freedom around the City/certain towns and living in homestay provided a chance to connect. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got food poisoning, but was well taken care of by both staff and my homestay mom (was given medicine as soon as we had access, etc.) |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe, besides expected caution towards unknown people/places. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Given 100 opportunities I'd choose SIT Panama 100 times. |
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) |
They provided more than enough money to cover food during the program, which was the only thing we had to pay for ourselves. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $0 of my own personal money |
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 |
In homestays and Spanish class, we had to speak Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | 102 |
| 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? | Talk with your homestay families! Don't just stay in your room all evening. |
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? | 0 |
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? | Don't be scared! You're well taken care of and it's an experience of a lifetime. |
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. |
