Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

off the beaten path! January 11, 2024

By (Conservation Biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2023 to 12/14/2023 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?
I learned a lot about marine biology, and local culture. I really enjoyed the tight knit commitment, although it could be isolating at some points.

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.

SFS had a lot of group work and scientific writing but it became manageable and you learn along the way

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Not enough vegetarian options

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Wish we could've gotten to talk to the locals more about their views on climate change

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There is little access to health care because you are on a remote island. If something serious happened you would have to go to the main island or Miami

* Safety:

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)

Stuff is more expensive than in the US because of island fees but also you don't need to spend much money because all the food and necessities are provided/included

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20-40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cash!!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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

  • 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 hands on learning
  • The small island community and community at the SFS center
  • The warm weather
* What could be improved?
  • The vegetarian options
  • more community interaction
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Honestly not much, I felt pretty prepared and think SFS did a good job.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Tropical Marine Ecology
Course Department:
Instructor: Shades O'Brien
Instruction Language:
Comments: The course was based on native species, their interactions and habitats.I think the prof threw us in to using R studio without enough help. We had tests and quizzes.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Conservation Governance
Course Department:
Instructor: Kassie Dudek
Instruction Language: English
Comments: We had papers and quizzes. Kassie was an awesome instructor and was very clear. I participated more than my home institution probably.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Resource Management

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: