A learning curve. December 17, 2022
By A student (MSID - International Development Thailand, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/28/2022 to 12/18/2022 with
University of Minnesota: MSID - International Development in Ecuador
Cross-cultural knowledge
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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
Thai people are among the best people I have ever met. As a black women, I was not sure the kind of reception that I would receive. I always felt welcomed. I never felt gawked at. |
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) |
The United States dollar can go pretty far in Thailand. For example, $160 USD is 5,000THB. If managed responsibly, this can last a long time. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent less than $50 on food weekly. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be responsible about how you spend. If you are person that likes to shop, there is a lot of opportunity for that. Depending on the person, one would have to gage how much they want to spend. |
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? | 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? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Watch youtube videos so you can learn as much as you can. That way, when you are learning with professors or Ajaahn’s in the Thai context some things will be familiar. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Budget better! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
