Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Two Months of My Life Past Review

By (Biochemistry, Trinity University) - abroad from 06/07/2016 to 08/10/2016 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was totally worthwhile. It was incredible stepping out of the quick paced, rude American lifestyle and joining the welcoming, friendly, polepole Tanzanian life. I now know kind of what I want to do with my future career and know of many opportunities to do so in Tanzania, where I definitely want to spend my future.

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.

* 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

I would absolutely do it again. I wish I could do it again. These past two months in Tanzania with SFS have been the absolute best.

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? $10- 15, food and housing is all included in tuition so any money on top of that is if you want to eat out on a nonprogram day or buy souvenirs, it's easy to not spend a lot
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Barter hard and tell people you're a poor student

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

Summer program doesn't have required kiswahili classes, but they are available and most of the staff try to talk to you in kiswahili which is encouraging to learn 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? I've never taken kiswahili courses
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Before the program, I put kiswahili labels around my room to just get used to seeing and identifying words and being familiar with the little things like yes, no, thank you, please, etc. The important words to get by being polite.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Staff members at camp (kitchen, guards, faculty, mechanics, student affairs manager), they're all wonderful
  • Variety of students accepted
  • Let's you be a tourist and a local student
* What could be improved?
  • More cultural integration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about the Tanzanian lifestyle. And that I was better at soccer to start with.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
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.