The best summer filled with goats and laughs. Past Review
By A student (Economics., Claremont McKenna College) - abroad from 06/18/2014 to 08/18/2014 with
ThinkImpact: Rwanda - Institute for Social Innovation
It cemented my desire to work in international development.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I don't think anyone signs up for a program like ThinkImpact for the academic opportunity. It has more to do with the experience and applicable learning outside of the classroom. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The heads of the program were very organized and concerned about our wellbeing, but were not notably fun or there to be with us. It often felt that we were customers, not colleagues, and the tasks they wished to accomplish were for the program as a whole, not for the individual. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Homestays are the greatest thing in the whole world and everyone should do them. It's as simple as that. |
| * Food: |
It was a homestay in rural Rwanda. If you like rice and beans every day you will like the food. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Sometimes it was overkill. |
| 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) |
Not applicable |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | In total probably ~200 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were living there, it was slightly required. |
| 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? | high school 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? | notecards |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | it's not that hard. I stressed too much before I left |
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. |
