LIfe-changing experience, Jaama rek (Peace only)! Past Review
By A student (Public Policy Analysis., St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 01/15/2014 to 05/14/2014 with
St. Mary's College of Maryland: Kanifing - PEACE in The Gambia
Studying abroad in the Gambia is one of the best decisions I could have made. We were fully immersed in the culture by learning the language and being assigned to families. My family in the Gambia truly is my family now and I have already promised to visit them again some day - inshallah. I learned so much from every aspect of this experience through the local language lessons, classes at the university, volunteer experiences, an internship, and spending time with Gambian friends and family. I learned so much from the culture and the people of the Gambia and I am forever grateful for the whole experience - challenges and all.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Best part of the experience was the cultural immersion. We weren't just studying abroad, we were living in another culture and becoming a part of it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health care system is a struggle. Often given antibiotics and other medicines that aren't fully explained and leave the clinic not knowing your diagnosis. One friend spent 2 days (1 night) in the hospital without ever finding out what the problem was. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat with your family and friends - don't eat out except for special occasions. The food your family and friends cook is better any way! |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none in Wolof - one upper level spanish course |
| 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? | Speak with everyone you meet and spend as much time outside of Happy Camp as possible! |
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? | Studying abroad is so much more than seeing another country and taking classes there - it's a life-changing experience and you can't take any aspect of it for granted! |
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.' |
