The Most AMAZING Trip: Everyone should go!! Past Review
By Katie N (Music Education, Hofstra University) - abroad from 07/27/2012 to 08/19/2012 with
ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture
This was, hands down, the best study abroad trip I have been on. The immersion in a very different culture is an enlightening, fantastic experience that opened our eyes, minds, and hearts. I would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, I probably will!!!
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. |
The curriculum at Dagbe was outstanding. Instructors provided differentiated learning for students of different ability levels. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Teachers were incredible on this trip. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very comfortable housing arrangements |
| * Food: |
SO GOOD. I think we could have had tomatoes and avocados every day ;-) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I've never been this immersed in another culture for a long period of time before. The people were welcoming and encouraged us to participate. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any health issues in Ghana, but those who did were well-cared for by our group leaders. Before the trip we needed a couple vaccinations and anti-malaria pills. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe throughout the entire trip. |
| 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) |
I spent about $600 on food, water, private lessons and souvenirs I think, and that's overestimating. I'm a spender ;-) |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | bring more money than you think you'll spend. |
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 |
I loved learning different phrases in Ewe! |
| 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? | Spanish 4 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | nope, it's easier to learn it when you're there |
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? | I wish I knew how amazing it was going to be, I would've dragged more friends on this trip! I also wish that I didn't get nervous about the dancing before we even started, because it was GREAT! |
