Manaia Samoa! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academically rigorous is not a term I would use to describe the semester. However, the "experiential learning" model which SIT boasts more than made up for the lack of intense in-class discussions and assignments. You make of it what you will-- if academically rigorous is what you want, you can find it, but hanging out with the South Pacific students on campus and exploring the country teaches you more about the culture than a classroom can.

On-site administration of your program

The program director has been in charge for YEARS. She knows what she's doing and plans an absolutely amazing semester. However, my group was the largest to ever go to Samoa (19 people, one boy) and I think she got a bit overwhelmed. I'm sure she is a great academic director for smaller trips (which they all will be in the future due to new SIT restrictions), but seemed to have very little patience for us. It's a do-it-yourself program, though, so everything worked out in the end and if you ask for support, it's there.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

you get used to the cockroaches (mogamoga) in your room and after a while the lizards clicking in the walls is comforting. The fact that they have running water on campus at all is a definite plus in Samoa (where you can't take running water for granted). Beds more comfortable than sleeping on floors (as most Samoans do) and you can change your sheets once a week!

Don't go to Samoa for the culinary experience. The traditional Samoan fare is actually quite good, but good luck finding it amongst the ubiquitous amounts of canned tuna, white bread, white rice, and fried everything.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We lived with other students from the South Pacific and spent many hours drinking kava with the Fijians or chilling with the Tongans. When we weren't on campus, we were in home stays. I've never met a people so open-armed and welcoming than the Samoans-- you can talk to someone on the bus and the next thing you know you're living with them for a week. We had ample time to explore Apia and a few weekends to travel the country. Samoa definitely felt like home by the middle of the semester.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It's quite a different climate in Samoa. Health care isn't quite the level it is in the States, but we all survived to tell about it.

I never, never felt unsafe. There are security guards at the campus's entrance and they roam around making sure everything is OK. The dogs can be a bit much, but you learn how to scare them off.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

SIT gave us stipends for lunch and travel, and then another for ISP period. I spent a little bit of my own money during orientation in Honolulu, and took out about $50 in Samoa. You could probably do the whole trip without spending any of your own money if you budget well. I was even able to fly to American Samoa, travel for weekend get-aways, and go out a couple nights a month staying within budget the whole time.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We were almost always encouraged to speak Samoan. Some people embraced this and attempted to speak it constantly while others decided it wasn't worth the effort and used English. It's quite possible to get around using English, but Samoan is so fun!

Select all that apply

• Dorm
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• Samoa and the Samoan people
• Traveling around the country and the Pacific
• Meeting students from across the Pacific

• Food on campus
• Make the program longer!