Wonderful Adventures in Samoa July 05, 2023
By Celeste B (International Studies, University of San Francisco) - abroad from 02/02/2023 to 05/19/2023 with
SIT Study Abroad: Samoa - Social and Environmental Change in Oceania
This program was very worthwhile. Learning by experiencing another culture is always very rewarding, the way of life and strong cultural identity in Samoa is very special.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Focus was on experiential learning. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great programming with lots of different immersive activities and experiences. Schedule/plans are made beforehand, students must be able to go with the flow. Students must wait until later in the program to make their own schedule/activity choices. Plans also change, so students must be flexible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Home-stays were a big highlight of the program. Hostels, hotels, beach fales, and shared student housing were all great. Wi-Fi is generally unavailable, but there is usually good cell signal unless in the remote areas. |
| * Food: |
Samoan food is pretty plain, but there is very good fresh fruit and various chicken and fish dishes. Hotel food is always about the same, and there are usually basic choices that can fit anyones needs. In Apia there are some good restaurants, and students can cook for themselves while living in student housing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Homestays and programming were all with local people and local organizations and businesses. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Going to doctors went pretty smoothly. The medical procedure is a little more casual, for example I was given medication for a minor issue just from listing my symptoms without any lab tests. The only problem was that the doctors offices were only open for limited hours. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe, but students should still be alert while in the cities. Additionally, dogs in Samoa are more like guard dogs, there is a different culture around them to adjust to. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program is very unique and focuses on a holistic learning and growing experience beyond just classroom-focused education. |
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) |
Personal money was only really needed for a few meals during orientation, and personal souvenirs or other personal supplies throughout the duration of the semester. |
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 |
Beginner Samoan course is taken, staying with homestays encourages practicing Samoan. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| 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? | Go in with an open mind and practice by repetition. |
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? | Be open to understanding a different way of living. Invest time and energy into getting to know fellow students and host family members. |
