Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

African roller coaster Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/23/2014 to 12/05/2014 with

SIT Study Abroad: Tanzania - Zanzibar Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Saw new places, new faves, tested my language, learned some things, had adventures

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The course work is interesting but does not require a lot of outside lecture or field trip work. The ISP can be difficult or easy depending on your subject.

* 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?

It's difficult to integrate fully into a Muslim culture, but I felt welcome.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30 per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat street food

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? Honors French 5 in highschool
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 people and laugh at your own mistakes

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
  • Other
* 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?
  • The time in the ocean
  • Academic director
  • Zanzibar itself
* What could be improved?
  • Small housing issues
  • Greater explanation and prep before hand
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To tell girls you love them

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

ISP
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Independent
Instruction Language: Swahili/English
Comments: The ISP was challenging but by choice. My partner and I chose a topic that was challenging and in depth so we worked very hard to see our 100 page paper to completion. All was worth it in the end though.
Credit Transfer Issues: Have not tried yet but plan to do so.