Life changing experience and memories that I will take with me forever. Past Review
By olivia d (Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, San Diego State University) - abroad from 03/28/2015 to 04/04/2015 with
The Sea State: Playa Reina - Creative Nonfiction Writing - Surf Journalism
To being to describe everything that I learned and gained from this trip would be literally impossible. This trip shaped my life and has proven to be the most influential experience I have partaken in thus far.
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. |
Supplied all materials for class and held lectures onsite of locations or else on the beach. Incredible curriculum and very beneficial information learned hands on about cultural emersion, tourism impacts, and the impacts possible by sustainability. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Beautiful area with ocean front view. Secluded from mainland and forced to live among local culture, but very safe area. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very comfortable. Felt at home and did not want to leave. |
| * Food: |
DELICIOUS. Fresh caught fish, rice, beans, plantains (local fresh and healthy food). Also many other options to satisfy any health needs. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated but without feeling invasive of their everyday life. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Leaders were very practiced in medical care. Few minor injuries which are inevitable when deciding to surf but all were assessed and handled and did not cause any student to not enjoy their experience |
| * Safety: |
Local medical care within distance. Never felt unsafe or not confident of any possible medical condition that I may had endeavored. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Food was supplied by in-country host. Spent around $20 on airport snacks. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Encouraged to practice but never enforced and was never put in a position where I felt uncomfortable. Using the language was more of a bonus option. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3 years of spanish. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Speak to the locals, put yourself out there, and immerse yourself in the culture. Which is what GET told us. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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? | I wish I knew how to extend my trip because seeing the program end was possible the saddest thing I have yet to experience |
