Mangos and Coups Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/29/2012 to 04/04/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Mali
I gained a much better understanding for how people in developing countries live and how perceive their situation. Personally, I think it is an essential experience to see how a huge portion of the world lives, which is the kind of experience you will get in Mali. It is so worthwhile to learn about other religions, cultures, and lifestyles.
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 |
The administrators have excellent connections and resources available to them in the country. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The home stays are an essential way to experience the daily life and culture of the Malians. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I would have liked to spend more time in villages rather than the capital city. However, my program was ended early and therefore we lost some of the opportunities for village stays. |
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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 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring some spending money for clothing and gifts. Daily life isn't expensive at all -- just a couple cold sodas each week to beat the heat! |
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 |
Daily lectures are conducted in French |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | 200 level at Middlebury |
| 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 French with your host family, and spend some time learning Bambara. Bambara is definitely the more culturally important language, but you can still find time to practice your French. |
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? | Bambara (the local language) is much more important in daily life than French. So be prepared to learn Bambara along with practicing your French. It is a fun language and really helps you connect with the locals if you take the time to learn it. |
