8 Great Weeks in Rwanda Past Review
By Chandler G (Dartmouth College) - abroad from 06/19/2013 to 08/14/2013 with
ThinkImpact: Rwanda - Institute for Social Innovation
I learned so much about myself as well as developing my leadership and management abilities.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned more from my summer experience than I possibly could have had I done a traditional summer internship. Some of the curriculum could have been improved and made clearer. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The in-country support staff was great. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My living arrangements were very pleasant. |
| * Food: |
The food was much better than I was expecting. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program was very effective in integrating scholars into the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
While I had no health issues during the program, other scholars did not have a good experience when health issues arose. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. |
| 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) |
The program included nearly everything that I needed with tuition. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $5 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It isn't necessary to purchase additional food. |
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 |
Using the language was encouraged but not necessary when translators were present. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Very basic words come naturally with living in complete immersion. |
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? |
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? | Take advantage of every moment to enjoy myself and learn. |
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. |
