Life Changing with SFS Practicum in Public Health and Environment in Kenya Past Review
By Gladys K (Nursing., Berea College) - abroad from 07/04/2013 to 08/06/2013 with
Study Abroad Programs in Kenya
I gained friends and new perspective on health issues. It was well worth it because after that experience I have decided to pursue public health for Masters and to work in rural areas.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Class time and Field work was somewhat equal. The days we conducted surveys were life changing. Worked really hard, it was intense. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful and concerned about students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Yo will love the Bandas. Baboons were all over the place, just chilling- they were friendly too! |
| * Food: |
Best part of the experience. Students were free to join the cooks and prepare meals. Breakfast preparation is teamwork- a great opportunity to learn how to prepare kenyan meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Though there was language barrier, I learned a lot about the maasai culture and some of their polite words. It helped to have community members as SFS staff |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experience but one student had and she was well cared for. On the first day, we were given contact paper slip and it had contacts of who to call in case of a medical emergency. That was really helpful. Also, the student manager made an effort to call us weekly to discuss any concerns social, academic or medical. |
| * Safety: |
People were very friendly. |
| 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) |
Everything was provided for. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $ 200 for shopping- gifts for families and friends |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn how to bargain, if you cannot befriend a fellow student who is good at that. Also, ask if the city has a place where students can do barter trade. Trading items you do not want to take back home will give you a chance to get souvenirs from that country. |
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 was well prepared. |
