AMAZING snorkeling and scuba diving on South Caicos Past Review
By Amanda G (Marine Sciene - Biology Pathway, University of San Diego) for
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Turks and Caicos Islands - Marine Resource Studies
This experience re-excited my love for Marine Science and made me look at the world in a totally new way. It made me realize how much I want to do field research!
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. |
The workload was reasonable, although there was a lot of reading assignments. This is not an easy study abroad program compared others I've heard about. Classes were very engaging because you were learning about fishes, mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds and then going out each day and experiencing those ecosystems while snorkeling or scuba diving. We had particularly good professors and a few who were less experienced in teaching. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We had an exceptional Student Affairs Manager who made the entire transition abroad incredibly easy and enjoyable. The staff was totally supportive of all aspects of our lives there, not just academically. The program size was perfect, making it easy to get to know your fellow students who you spent 3 months living on a tiny island with. My expectations of this program were met and exceeded. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
You are living at a field station with different "dorm rooms" connected by an outdoor hallway. The staff is living in a staff quarters at the same field station. |
| * Food: |
go to Darrell's when you feel like some yummy cracked conch and fries. Get ice cream from the random ice cream store in town. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had the Minister of Culture for the Turks and Caicos come to the center and give us a show and talk about culture historically. We traveled to other islands on out Mid-Semester Break as part of the program and learned about the cotton plantations and historical landmarks of the islands. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
South Caicos is a very safe place and the center is locked every night for added safety. |
| 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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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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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? | GO! |
