Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Eye openingly fresh and invigorating Past Review

By (Saint Mary's College of California) - abroad from 12/29/2016 to 01/08/2017 with

ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that one can have a life-changing experience in a short amount of time. Perhaps the most wonderful thing about this program was the feeling that my experience felt truly authentic. This seems largely possibly through the staff (locals) who were willing to chaperones to the students.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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:

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • the Dagbe staff
  • the flexibility with which the students are able to choose their private instruction
  • the flexibility and options that we were given to attending certain excursions or the market
* What could be improved?
  • being picky (organization of event timing) I know many of the events rest upon the staff and resources,etc.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that we were going to put on a performance at the end of the program. I also wish that we were urged more that the performance is to reaffirm a sense of community, and not centered around performing as 'westerners' think of it.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'