Life-Changing and Eye-Opening Past Review
By Reed H (Psychology/Music, University of Hartford) - abroad from 07/25/2013 to 08/14/2013 with
ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
One of the biggest things I really took from my experience in Ghana with ThisWorldMusic is that your "normal" is just cultural. I knew this before the trip, but only on the most basic level. Being in Ghana showed me not only what the culture there is, but that I really do love cultures that aren't my home culture. It was amazing to see just how integral drumming and dancing are to the culture. It made me want to adjust my own "normal," so that music and dancing are a part of my every day life, not just when performing.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | $150-$200, but for two out of the three weeks, I spent nothing because food and water were provided! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Definitely haggle with people! |
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 |
Certain staff members at Dagbe would speak basic Ewe with you, but it was not emphasized at all. |
| 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? | N/A |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
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? | Ghanaian food is ALWAYS spicy! |
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. |
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