Elephant research and adventures in Tanzania Past Review

By (Environmental Studies and Studio Art, Trinity University) - abroad from 02/01/2015 to 05/11/2015 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained actual experience in field research, I felt comfortable in a world completely different than where I come from, and I reconnected with my passion to study wildlife.

Review Photos

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies Photo The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies Photo The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies Photo The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies Photo The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

I loved the opportunity we had spend time with the people who lived in the surrounding village. However, I wish we had the opportunity for a longer home stay or at least more free time to spend outside of campus.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There was one time I had to go to the clinic due to an insect bite. Our camp counselors were extremely caring and helped get us the medical attention as soon as we needed it.

* Safety:

Overall I felt extremely safe for the entirety of my study abroad experience. Even while camping (where we would fall asleep to the calls of lions and hyenas less the 100yds away), the SFS staff did an excellent job of making us feel safe and secure.

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)

Almost everything for my study abroad experience was covered by the initial tuition.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $7

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Try and speak with the locals and SFS staff as much as you can!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The expeditions/ game drives in the National Parks
  • Camping in the Serengeti falling asleep to the calls of lions
  • Becoming so close with the other students
* What could be improved?
  • I wish there was more emphasis on leaning Swahili
  • They should provide more oportunitys for spending time with the locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There was no reason to be so nervous.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Directed Research

Course Department: SFS Staff
Instructor: John Kioko
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging, but definitely worth the experience. For my directed research I studied elephants and spent many hours a day driving through national parks observing these creatures. The professors expected a lot from us in our final research paper, but the results we produced had the potential to become published and actually implemented in current policy making.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credit.