Did that really just happen? Past Review

By (Truman State University) - abroad from 01/20/2012 to 05/26/2012 with

University of Ghana: Legon - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
If I could put it into words, it wouldn't be worthwhile. I gained an appreciation for people from all walks of life and realized that attitude toward visitors says a lot about a person and country. I learned to rely on those around me and trust the tacit knowledge of the people who know the systems in place. For things not to my liking, I had to stop and think about whether it's actually an issue or just something I wasn't used to. I got outside my comfort zone.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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)

* 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? $30-$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't buy souvenirs all at once and buy lots of small things for others and maybe a few big things for yourself. Eat what the locals eat, use the transport the locals use!

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

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate Spanish courses but nothing in the language I learned in Ghana
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? Learn the language to master it. Start with origins, alphabet, rules, hearing it spoken, and then go back and break things down. This is how it was taught to us and it worked!

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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 freedom to make our own mistakes and really integrate into the culture while balancing guidance along the way.
* What could be improved?
  • I wish we had more of a chance to get to know Ghanaian students on campus.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Something I learned while there, everything would seem to be inefficient, confusing, and go horribly wrong and it would become one of the greatest experiences of my life because I allowed it to be.