Incredible Adventure! February 18, 2024
By Caruna G (Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation, School for International Training) - abroad from 09/04/2024 to 12/16/2024 with
SIT Study Abroad: Panama - Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation
I learned so much about so many different environments and communities
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not rigorous in the traditional sense but requires a lot of courage, open-mindedness, critical thinking, and resilience. |
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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? |
may not always be comfortable but safe, unique, interesting, and valuable experiences |
| * Food: |
Locally sourced as often as possible, not always a lot of vegetables but many delicious meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You are forced to integrate whether you like it or not |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program staff were there every step of the way |
| * Safety: |
We were always informed on how to be as safe as possible |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It pushed me out of my comfort zone, gave me incredible experiences and friendships and expanded my world view. |
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) |
Very easily |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 -$100 |
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 |
They encouraged but enforced using the language |
| 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? | 3 |
| 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? | Speak Spanish with other students. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | You will be uncomfortable! |
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. |
