Lifechanging Past Review
By Carter P (International Studies, University of Iowa) - abroad from 01/29/2019 to 05/14/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Tunisia & Italy - Politics & Religious Integration in the Mediterranean
I learned a lot about the migrant situation in Africa and Europe. As well as a lot about local Tunisian culture and politics and I learned a lot about myself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
My living arrangements were comfortable and my host family was kind and accommodating but they didn't speak my target language and the majority of the family spent 2-weeks on vacation at the beginning of my homestay. |
| * Food: |
The food was incredible, some of the best food I have had in my life. It was always very fresh and it felt better for me than most of what I eat in America. Even the fried foods, in both Tunisia and Italy. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The aspect of a homestay kind of immediately gives you a sense of integration. However, what made me feel truly at home in Tunisia were the native Tunisian friends that I made. I went to concerts with them, and coffee shops and walked around downtown Tunis with them and made lifelong friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not deal with any physical ailments. Some of my classmates did and when they did they went to a doctor and were prescribed medicine and were well soon. I struggled with mental health over the course of the semester and when discussing it with some of the administration they offered to help me find a therapist to talk to while there if I felt the need. All health needs, physical and mental are addressed well. |
| * Safety: |
Overall I felt very safe in my city at any time. Even at night. Though I am a male student and don't have to worry as much about assaults. I was pickpocketed but was advised to be wary of it and I fortunately was the only student who was. Even after that I still felt safe traveling on the public transit train system the TGM. However, taxis are the safest option and are usually available from early in the morning until about 10/10:45 on weekdays and later on weekends. The taxi drivers I met were very kind and most were talkative. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program was life-changing, eyeopening, and unique. I learned so much about the world, Tunisia, Italy and myself and my experience is one that will have an impact on me for the rest of my life. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent more than other students as upon arriving in Tunisia after getting used to the food I became hungry nearly all the time. This was a change because in America I did not have a large appetite and upon returning to America my appetite returned to being low. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Utilize the stipend as well as possible, use it mainly on food, and buy food and make it yourself youll save money. Save as much as you can before your trip, you'll want to buy souvenirs. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Advanced |
| 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? | Make native friends, talk to taxi drivers, servers, listen to conversations and try to pick up words you know. Write down and study new words and grammatical functions for at least 1-2 hours a night. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I couldn't put a lot of it into words. But the information I gained about the migrant situation in Africa and Europe and the knowledge I gained about Tunisia is information I wish I had learned before. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
