Amazing and incredible learning experience and new opportunities! Past Review
By austin n (International Relations And Global Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/28/2013 to 12/11/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: Tanzania - Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology
Definitely worth while. I gained amazing new friends, an appreciation and understanding of Tanzanian culture, Swahili skills, and an amazing independent study project that I will most likely turn into a thesis.
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, but it did not come from a traditional academic setting. there was little academic rigor, but that does not mean i didnt learn a great amount about the culture and host country |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
arusha can be dangerous, but you will be fine as long as you are smart. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
everything is so cheap! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | practically nothing, if you didnt want to you could spend zero personal money |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | eat at local 'restaurants'! |
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 |
you get as much out of the language study as you put in. if you try, you can use it a lot. it is also possible to use english most of the time. |
| 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? | a one month course two years before leaving |
| 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? | just practice all the time with locals! make an effort with your host family and at restaurants |
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? | nothing - surprises are good! |
