Second Home Past Review
By Melanie C (Public Health., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/14/2012 to 08/04/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Cambodia
I learned a lot from this experience in Cambodia. I have come away with a better understanding of international development and public health. In addition, I have come away with a second family and friends that I hope to keep in contact with for a long time. I cannot wait to go back!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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 |
The facilitator for the program did not meet the expectations that I or the other volunteers had. He did not put the amount of time and effort needed to be an effective facilitator for the program. There were many situations that could have been better or avoided had he put time into planning/researching group excursions, program requirements, etc. There was no organization or set dates besides the trip to Siem Reap. When one of us had a question in regards to the international internship program, he was unable to help us, never responded, or gave us false information. That being said, the facilitator is a outstanding person and his fluency in Khmer is an asset. However, if he does do the facilitator program position again, he must put more effort into his position. If he does not, then he should return to Cambodia in a different role. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The host family and location was incredible and contributed a lot to the satisfaction to the program. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt that my classmates and I integrated fairly well into the culture. We made friends, went on social excursions, and learned a lot about the culture and language. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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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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| * 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? | $10-20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Ride your bike! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 learned more of the language before I went on the program. I have made so many friends by learning the language while in Cambodia, but it would have been nice to be able to speak to them a little better. |
