Learning to Learn For Life July 18, 2023
By Lily M (Environmental Science, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/27/2023 to 05/09/2023 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Panama - Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies
This was absolutely a worthwhile experience. Staying in a bubble will not help you grow as a person or as a life-long learner. Experiencing and actively learning about different cultures is key to forming a wider worldview.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The most rewarding knowledge that I gained on this program was of cultural competency and of the culture(s) on the archipelago. The coursework in the classroom seemed secondary; while some of it was new and regionally specific, some of it was review. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Having roommates alleviates the stress of making friends; if you had the option of locking yourself away, I think more people would have done it. My roommates ended up being some of my best friends on the program and I appreciated the ease of which I could reach the other cabins. |
| * Food: |
The kitchen staff at SFS Panama is talented and full of incredible people. I wouldn't waste an opportunity to get to know them. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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
This program was outside of my comfort zone and pushed me to grow without me realizing how much growth I went through until looking back. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
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 |
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| 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 |
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? | You don't need as much clothing as they say in the packing list. Laundry is done weekly(ish) and it will save space and weight to pack lighter than expected. |
