SFS East Africa: Enlightening and Beautiful Past Review
By Erica F (Biological Sciences, Connecticut College) for
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies
YES! I will forever long to return to East Africa. Being a zoology student, there is no place better to go. It not only enhance my wildlife knowledge but changed my life and opened up so many opportunities for my future career. Anyone who is in the wildlife-biology field would greatly benefit from this program!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was an intensely rigorous academic program with almost constant work and lectures. I did learn a great deal about East African ecology and wildlife management, but it was difficult to get grades comparable with those at my home university. I suppose because of the language barrier. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The American Student Advisor was a huge asset to the program and it would not have been possible with her. She was a great liaison between custom differences, academic difficulties and acted like a mother when we were ill. The student advisor was an awesome aspect of the program! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in a private field station. It was very different from any other experience but I think it was one of the coolest parts of the program. We had to bring our own things, but we didn't need much. It allowed for close bonding with the other students and staff. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming. |
| * Food: |
It is the same almost every day but they do their best to make everyone happy! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Visiting the nearby national parks was the BEST aspect of this program. Specifically, the camping trips to Serengeti and Tsavo were the highlights of the program and those experiences have changed my life! I wish I could do it again. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Everything was very safe and any medical issues were addressed quickly. We did need a lot of vaccinations and to take malaria tablets, but that is nothing to do with the program. I felt very safe and well-cared for. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
All of the staff and professors and locals. We used mostly English, since it is one of the national languages. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Someone who is driven by their love of nature and animals and wants to challenge themselves to a very different and memorable kind of experience. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
East African Ecology |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Kioko |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | It was challenging with multiple exciting and enlightening field trips. Professor Kioko was patient and invested in us learning the material. The best course in the program by far, mostly due to Kioko. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No issues in credit transfer. |
