Amazing exposure to field work, but a poorly managed program Past Review

By (Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 01/29/2018 to 05/09/2018 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Peru – Amazon Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile to learn about how to conduct scientific research and the process of scientific writing.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic rigor was similar to that of my home institution, however the professors' directions lacked clarity making the work slightly more rigorous.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was not a place where help could easily be accessed and often prohibited students from trying to immerse themselves in the culture.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The facility was still being built and was not ready to house students, however the living conditions were not unbearable.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The rules and regulations made it very difficult for students to experience the 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? No

The field work and research was an incredible opportunity and gave me a lot of valuable skills for my future career. However, the way that this program was managed would make me not want to go through this experience again.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Practicing scientific research and writing
  • The close connections with some of the people on the program
  • Traveling to different places
* What could be improved?
  • Management
  • Rules that are applicable to this specific program, not blanketed rules.
  • More freedom for students to be able to experience local culture
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How strict and limiting the rules are for those who wish to get out of the center.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The 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.