Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Tupo pamoja Past Review

By (International / Global Studies, University of San Francisco) - abroad from 02/01/2014 to 06/06/2014 with

University of Dar es Salaam: Dar es Salaam - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
yes

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.

felt more like living abroad than study abroad

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Janet is a boss!!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

love living with my host family

* Food:

host family cooks for you, if you like African food you will be happy. also very good for vegetarians

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

this was mostly on my own accord, not so much as the program made it happen. very helpful to know some Kiswahili because it exponentially increases the amount of people you can communicate with and make friends. also made a lot of friends at my "service site' which I found myself, it was a performing arts center that was training youth in dance, acrobatics, drama, etc.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was healthy the whole time.

* Safety:

be careful of pickpockets

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)

everything is extremely cheep and food is included in the program price because your host family provides you with breakfast and dinner (and lunch if you are home). they care a lot about making sure you are fed and healthy. i mostly spent money on going out at night.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $25
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? going out with large groups is cheeper when you book a car but if you have a smaller group take a bajaj or taxi

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

3 week immersion course but not stressed on a day to day basis outside of simple greetings etc.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 3rd semester Kiswahili
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? get the book "Simplified Swahili" very good introduction to the language and it's the book that the professor uses to teach the course.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Babawatoto Centre
  • Host Family
  • Riding the dala dalas
* What could be improved?
  • Academics
  • Would have liked to study with locals
  • Distance of host family to school
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Dar es salaam traffic.....

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

African Theatre
Course Department: Theatre
Instructor: Dr. Juma Bakari
Instruction Language: English
Comments: interactive, taught us about the history and cultural significance of theatre in an African context, final performance instead of a written exam
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

History of East Africa
Course Department: History
Instructor: had three different ones, the best was Hosiana
Instruction Language: English
Comments: had three different professors, each one would start over again at the beginning of the syllabus, no class for almost 2 months
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Kiswahili
Course Department: Kiswahili
Instructor: Liberatus
Instruction Language: Kiswahili
Comments: taught basics of the language to beginners and an opportunity to study more advanced
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

African Traditional Religion
Course Department: Religion
Instructor: Fr. Joseph
Instruction Language: English
Comments: brought in stories from his childhood growing up as a Gikuyu, consistent in the amount of classwork, good class discussions
Credit Transfer Issues: