Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unforgettable Abroad Experience Past Review

By (Gettysburg College) - abroad from 08/31/2019 to 12/13/2019 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This program was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned so much about Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management and about the local culture. I also grew as a person. The SIT Staff pushed me to do things outside of my comfort zone, which allowed me to produce an ISP project that I would not have thought possible before this experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

SIT Zanzibar met all my academic needs. Experiential learning is in the forefront of the curriculum, which allows the students to have the opportunity to learn through field experience. Our classroom lectures by guest speakers were supplemented by field activities as well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff on-site were amazing. The local staff were very knowledgeable and always available to help when needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My homestay experiences, both in Pemba and on Unguja island, were great. I was able to practice Swahili and learn about the local culture everyday. Homestays were one of the best parts of the program.

* Food:

The local cuisine was very good. All dietary restrictions are communicated to the homestay mothers to ensure that all the students are getting what they need.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Over the course of the 3 months on site I became more integrated into the culture. By the end Zanzibar really felt like home, but it took a while to get comfortable with all the differences in everyday life.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe while on site in Zanzibar. There were no safety issues during my semester stay for anyone on the trip. Safety is always the number one priority of the program, which makes the experience very enjoyable overall.

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)

Food is included in the tuition, so it is very easy to avoid spending a lot of money.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $29

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? 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? It is easy to practice speaking the local language with your homestay family. They are very patient with you and can help teach you new words or phrases.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Excursions
  • Homestay Family
  • SIT Staff On-Site
* What could be improved?
  • Pre-Departure Materials
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how supportive the staff was at SIT. It wasn't until landing in Zanzibar did I meet or have contact with the staff. They make sure that everyone is safe and healthy first before pushing academic issues.

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.