Amazing, lifechanging and eye-opening Past Review

By (Anthropology., Ithaca College) - abroad from 02/02/2012 to 05/18/2012 with

SIT Study Abroad: Samoa - Social and Environmental Change in Oceania

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
definitely worth it - i would reccommend this to any student wishing to study abroad not in the usual european places

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: USP - University of the South Pacific
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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated and comfortable with the local culture and people

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? get a sense of the area and talk to people about where the cheapest stores are

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

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? Spanish 2
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? talk to the locals and to your peers in the group

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • homestay
  • making friends with the locals and learning the culture
  • being push out of my comfortzone - becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable
* What could be improved?
  • length of time for the ISP - it felt very much rushed at the end of the program when i wanted to have time to spend time with the people i met there and would possibly never see again
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? i wish i knew some of the language prior