A time full of travel, language learning and a new culture. Past Review
By Peter H (Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean, Wheaton College, MA) - abroad from 01/30/2019 to 05/14/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Tunisia & Italy - Politics & Religious Integration in the Mediterranean
I learned more Arabic and got to experience Tunisian culture, which has aspects of Arab culture and French culture combined. This was very worthwhile and I don't regret my decision.
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. |
I enjoyed my educational experience very much. Program staff/Professors were all very friendly and always made themselves available outside of the classroom. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My academic director and homestay coordinator were very kind and resourceful during the semester. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a woman (my host-mother) and her son, his wife, and two children who lived above. My host-mother didn't speak English which made communication quite difficult, but this forced me to practice my Arabic at home and my language skills improved as a result. Also, despite the limited communication, my host-mother was very sweet and cared for me as if I were her own child. |
* Food: |
Tunisian food is delicious. They eat a lot of carbohydrates (bread, potatoes/fries, couscous) and meat/fish which I like, personally. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was very immersed. In my spare time, I went to a lot of cafes, restaurants, bars, and also got a gym membership in order to meet locals and have conversations. This was important because learning doesn't only take place in class but also outside. One can do a lot of research on a country, but meeting people and having a local perspective is a different experience. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I developed a stomach bug towards the end of my program but was able to see a doctor. The academic director, Mounir Khelifa, called a the doctor who visited me, asked questions, checked my temperature, pulse, etc. and then prescribed me the medicine I needed. I received the appropriate care that was needed and Mounir looked after me as if I were his own child which was very generous. |
* Safety: |
I never felt unsafe or in danger while abroad. However, I got a lot of attention from people as someone who obviously was foreign. Quite a few times, I was approached by strangers and asked where I was from/what am I doing in Tunisia. Everyone I met was being friendly, but I felt uncomfortable at first since I wasn't used to being approached by strangers and I was cautious about being taken advantage of or mugged. But this never happened, and I realized they were being friendly and that this was part of Tunisian culture. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would do it again. I personally wish I had spent more time in public spaces and trying to socialize. |
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) |
Coming from the United States, I felt that living on a student budget was very manageable. In addition, students were a given a stipend for expenses (food, transportation, etc.). |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Less than $15 a week. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be as frugal as possible. Think twice before spending (e.g. don't buy snacks or a sandwich that you'll throw away or not eat). Also, with the stipend, take a close look at the calendar and decide how much money you can spend each day so you won't run out before the stipend period is up. |
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 |
Our program had a basic introduction to Tunisian Arabic (Tunsi) at the start, but afterwards I was learning Modern Standard Arabic. |
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
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? | ARBC-200 |
How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
* 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 wish I had read more about social/cultural norms. However, there is something to be said about jumping in and being surprised as well. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |