Good bang for the buck February 01, 2024
By John M (Science, Technology and Society, Georgetown University) - abroad from 09/04/2023 to 12/17/2023 with
SIT Study Abroad: Panama - Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation
It was very worthwhile. I gained new perspectives and experienced many new unique things and environments.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I found it to be an overall worthwhile experience, much more in-the-field than my classes at my home school. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program hosts were very good at orienting us and we felt very taken care of. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing is as it is advertised on the SIT website. It's somewhat tougher, AKA no air conditioning, but it's what you signed up for. |
| * Food: |
Very tasty. Just note you can't be vegan on this program. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I learned a lot about the local culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Need specific vaccines prior to leaving. Note that healthcare in Panama is not as good as in other industrialized countries. |
| * Safety: |
Never felt unsafe. |
| 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) |
Stuff is cheap in Panama |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Bring rain pants. |
