Nothing short of spectacular Past Review
By Philip Gyamfi (The Evergreen State College) - abroad from 02/05/2019 to 05/19/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Rwanda - Post-Genocide Restoration and Peacebuilding
Family, and I gained new perspective on life and future. Totally worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned a lot, there is nothing like learning through living experiences. |
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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? |
My living arrangement was incredible. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Easily adaptable. a very welcoming society and culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No difficulty accessing healthcare. I had a minor tooth ache and was connected with a physician straight away. |
| * Safety: |
Not a concern in Rwanda, at least through SIT program for me. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
8/10 on the overall experience because on a personal level I it was almost a perfect experience. But for all included and speaking on behalf of my class, there could have been more I am African and so it got a bit difficult studying in Africa with my American classmates. I had a falling out with my classmates, because I believe they failed to have and understand perspective of the locals. However, I am sure they learned incredible amount as well. |
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) |
student budget wasn't great but my host family took care of me. Others might have struggled on the same budget allowance. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I didn't have to spend much at all, I spent about RWF 20,000 a week/ $25 a week. |
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 |
Kinarwanda was awesome. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I just graduated a four year college with English as my second language |
| 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? | Learning these basic interactions: Hello, How are you? thank you Please Please help me .... I like... I want .... Yes, I can No, I can't I am fine. These will take you a long way and help you get more comfortable. |
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? |
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? | I wish I had prepared better by saving up some money to explore the host site. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
