TCI - the big South Past Review
By Daria B (Marine Sciences., University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 09/10/2012 to 12/13/2012 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Turks and Caicos Islands - Marine Resource Studies
I feel like in the first month alone I learned so much and I also think that this a good experience for a person to really decided whether they are passionate about Marine science or not. You get to learn more about yourself as well as other people.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I think that as students we expect to learn within the classroom, however, with this program you do most of your learning in the field. This is a good program for students that learn better hands on. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone is very friendly and willing to help you. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing here is comparable to being at camp. Usually four people to a room with two bunk beds and one bathroom. |
| * Food: |
The food is alright but dont expect anything miraculous. All food here is ordered from Miami and if the food we order doesnt make it onto the boat then we are out of that food until the next boat comes and even then it isnt guaranteed to make it onto the next food shipment. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The cultural immersion is 100% involved. We work with the community every Wednesday and Saturday and even when we are not doing community service then we are eating at local food shacks and buying food from local stores where we get to interact with the local people. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Some of the people here have had medical problems, nothing too serious but then again since we are one a very secluded island it is not always easy to get all the medical attention that you require. If there is a medical situation that needs more medical help than the local clinic can offer then there is the option of going to the main island or Miami. |
| * Safety: |
The local community is very friendly and not once have I felt unsafe walking around the area. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Im not really sure how to rate this since everyone is different. Once your tuition is paid then all you need money for is buying snacks in town and also you need money for your mid semester break. Food in town is not very cheap and as far as the mid semester break goes, you need to pay for your own hotel accommodations, food and of course souvenirs. (Break is about 5/6 days long) |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | All I have bought during the week was cans of soda which range anywhere from one to two dollars per can. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | This is not a typical study abroad program. In order to be successful in this program you need to be flexible. This program is highly dependent in nature and you cant guarantee that everything is going to go as expected. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
