A Life Time Experience - Thailand Anthropology Field School Past Review
By Mai See X (Nursing., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/01/2012 to 07/20/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Thailand
I learn to communicate with other people of other cultures. I was able to network and have people that I know in other countries that are now life long friends that will be able to help me. It is definitely worthwhile.
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. |
There was a lot things to do such as reading at that the same time we had to do things outside of class such as interviews. I thought that it was a bit too much but then I think that overall it was good to help prepare for the assignments that we do. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There was no on-site administration for the program. The one place that we had was the professor's house that he was staying at. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I love the host family that I stayed with. They treated me so well and they became a real family to me and will always be. |
| * Food: |
The food is fantastic. I have never tasted food so good. It was also always so easy to find something to eat.... |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I love the culture there. It was wonderful and rich culture. Even though I didn't know a lot of things it was great learning about it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't experience any health problems but then I know that with the insurance that I had with BYU that if anything was to happen that I would be taken care. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt like my safety was at risk. The people there are really nice and kind. There are times that I felt like I shouldn't take this route or that route because it is best to stay in areas that I know that I would have help if I needed it. |
| 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) |
It was super easy to live on a student budget. Due to the fact that because the value of money in other country is less that America so it is easy to live on a student budget. I would say it is a 5. |
| * 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? | less than $30.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think that if they check how much they take out of the atm and make sure that they keep the money somewhere safe it should be fine. Keeping track of your money is important. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | I fluent in Hmong and speak very little Thai. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just pick up and try the best you can. Try to learn the language rather than just avoiding. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | How much time it would required. |
