SIT does Madagascar right. Antananarivo - National Identity and Social Change Past Review
By Rebecca E (Peace And Justice Studies, Wellesley College) for
SIT Study Abroad: Reviews from Former Locations
I'm so glad that I studied abroad when I did, where I did.
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. |
Workload was easy to allow greater integration and understanding of the culture. Workload complimented the experience excellently. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Outstanding Academic Director, marvelous local staff, great space and organization. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host Family for first part of program, choice of accomidation (I chose a hotel) for month of Independent Study. |
* Food: |
I'm vegetarian, and was able to eat adequately for health during the program. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
So many cool experiences, it would take too long to list them all. Vatomandry, Morondava, and the famadihana were probably the best. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
A few minor safety incidents, but we were well prepared. I spent four days in the hospital, which was no fun, but my program provided me with tons of support. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | The program covers all necessary expenses, but I splurged at about $40 of discretionary spending each week. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | None. Studying abroad was cheaper for me than studying at Wellesley. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French - 206, Malagasy - N/A |
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Language acquisition improvement? |
Excellent program for both French and Malagasy acquisition. The languages were integral for daily living. Lots of support in language learning. |
Other Program Information
* 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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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? | Take two Pepto Bismol at every meal for the first two weeks. I had the fewest intestinal problems of anyone on the trip. |