Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Ecological adeventure August 04, 2024

By (Biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/30/2024 to 05/03/2024 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Australia – Rainforest studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about biology, specifically biology in an environment very different from the ones that I am used to. I also feel I improved significantly in my research skills, planning a project, performing field work, writing papers, etc.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Very little, most was included in the program, weith the exception of weekends off.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make full use of the resources provided by the program in terms of food, camping gear, etc.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The community of people there
  • The exciting environment with many interesting animals and plants
  • The encouragement to focus on things that most interest you in study
* What could be improved?
  • administrative organization
  • communication of scheduling and expectations
  • Internet availability
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The rainforest is exceedingly wet and hot, most of the time.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Tropical Biome Ecology
Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Deborah Apgaua
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Sigrid Heise-Pavlov
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Environmental Sustainability and socio-economic values
Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Mia Derhe
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Directed Research
Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Mia Derhe and Sigrid Heise-Pavlov
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: