Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was an AMAZING experience and I wish i could do it all over again! Past Review

By (St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 05/19/2012 to 07/09/2012 with

St. Mary's College of Maryland: Kanifing - PEACE in The Gambia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was very worth while. I learned so much about a culture i've never even heard of before. I really filled my brain up with more knowledge and wisdom.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Eckerd College
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* 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?

* 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)

The Gambia made living very easy (financially).

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 5 bucks

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish for the 6th year
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • It allowed me to organize my internship the way i wanted to
  • I had a lot of freedom in studying any topic i desired
* What could be improved?
  • it should not be ok to have the only 2 professors in the group be a married couple...there is no one to talk to
  • Professors didn't organize the trip very well in the beginning. It took a long time to get the ball rolling...
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? to pack heavier. I should have brought way more clothes and clothes of different variety.