Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Most amazing three months of my life in my new favorite place on earth! Past Review

By (Biology, General., Fairfield University) - abroad from 02/04/2013 to 05/09/2013 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Turks and Caicos Islands - Marine Resource Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It is not possible to list all that i gained and learned from my experience abroad. Not only did I learn factual information about my host country, the Caribbean and my field of study, but I also learned practical knowledge about how to be a scientist, write different types of reports, analyze and present data, and teach. Additionally, I gained new perspective, amazing friends, and have grown as a person in ways I never imagined. Choosing to study with SFS in Turks and Caicos was the best decision I have ever made. Nothing could have been more worthwhile.

Review Photos

SFS: Turks & Caicos - Marine Resource Management Studies Photo SFS: Turks & Caicos - Marine Resource Management Studies Photo SFS: Turks & Caicos - Marine Resource Management Studies Photo SFS: Turks & Caicos - Marine Resource Management Studies Photo SFS: Turks & Caicos - Marine Resource 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.

Learned more than I ever thought possible!!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

INCREDIBLE!!!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Better than I expected from a field station. Couldn't have been happier!

* Food:

Better than I expected. Occasionally low on options due to food shipments, but overall extremely satisfying.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I don't feel like I "studied" abroad. I feel like I LIVED abroad. I got to know the community personally (on a first name basis with many locals) and was definitely fully integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never experienced any problems other than cuts and scrapes that could be taken care of at our Center's first aid stations. Classmates were well taken care of when sick and our Student Affairs Manager always checked up to help everyone get better.

* Safety:

I felt safer in my host town than anywhere in the US. While on the tourist island, Providenciales, it was important to not wander alone, but no one in my program experienced any problems or feared for their safety at any time.

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)

It was not necessary to spend more than a few hundred dollars for the entire semester. Plenty of food was provided by the program, including snacks. However, it was nice to have some spending money for buying ice cream, soda, and additional food/snacks on the island. Spring break also was somewhat pricey as we stayed on the tourist island. However, I bought many souvenirs and snacks over my 3 months abroad and only spent about $800 for the semester. I could have easily gotten by with much less.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20 typically. Spent a few hundred over spring break. Spent about $200 on souvenirs
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? My experience was very different from most study abroad programs, but I would say to find the smaller local stores to find snacks and such. Prioritize what you want to spend money on. Budget yourself for each week.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* 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?
  • Field Experience and learning practical skills.
  • Host town/island (South Caicos)
  • Research Center community including staff and classmates.
* What could be improved?
  • Better communication/assistance from Fairfield University
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing. I was well prepared for my program and well taken care of by SFS and my center's staff. I wouldn't wanna change anything about my experience.

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.