Only the GREEN Program can make this kind of impact Past Review
By Kait M (Environmental Science, Duquesne University) - abroad from 01/02/2016 to 01/12/2016 with
The GREEN Program: Peru - Water Resource Management & Sustainable Practices
This program taught me a lot of useful environmental information, but more importantly it empowered and inspired us to actually make a difference. The hands-on learning and exclusive field trips were incredibly valuable to my academic development, but the experience as a whole was priceless. This program attracts a certain type of people, and the oppurtunity to spend over a week with such like-mindedly passionate and adventurous students created a wonderful synergy. The the encouragement and guidance we recieved for our capstone projects really made us believe that it is within our power to actually make a difference in the world.
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. |
Wonderfully balanced amount of in class education given in order to fully appriciate the hands-on lessons and field trips. Would get 5 stars if the information had all been new to me, but I had already learned many of the surveying and water information in a previous class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our professor from USIL was fantastic, and made learning the basic class lectures easy. Super welcoming, prepared, and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In Cusco we stayed in a very nice hotel which provided a lovely all inclusive breakfast every morning. During our excursion out of the city we stayed in hotels/hostels all of which were very clean and safe. Best housing of any of my abroad trips! |
| * Food: |
All three meals a day were included, and you got to choose from a preset list of dinner options daily! While the resturant changed everyday the options became a bit monotonous by the end of the week, but we always ate extremely well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
While we did have a local guide with us the entire week (who was fantastic!) our daily activities did not really submerge us into the real lives of the locals. However, during our limited "free time" the guide offered to take us to the local market, and to other unique and local experiences. These outings were when we truely got to experience Peruvian culture! (They were all optional, so definitely stick with the guide during as much free time as you can if you want to learn the inside scoop) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Due to the extreme altitude many students experienced altitude sickness symptoms (myself included). My best advice is not to ignore the headaches or dizziness and get altitude sickness pills early on! I tried to fight through it and it spoiled a day of the trip for me. The guide and GREEN Program staff were extremely helpful in getting me the help I needed when I was sick, so definitely don't try and suffer through it. If you don't know how the altitude will effect you, come prepared. Also none of the tap water is drinkable, so a steri-pen is a good idea or you can just buy a large bottle of water (and refill at the school or whenever clean water is available)! |
| * Safety: |
Cusco was a VERY safe town. Adhering to basic traveler safety is sufficient (beware of surroundings/pit-pockets, generally stay in groups, lock up valuables when possible, etc.) |
| 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) |
The trip is all inclusive for food, so the only money necessary to spend is on souvenirs and extra drinking water if you need it. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around $200 US, for a lot of souvenirs, and medication |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring reusable waterbottles and a Steri-pen |
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? | Really look into the effects of altitude sickness, and come prepared, because you won't want anything slowing you down. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
