Difficult but challenging. Past Review
By Mary A (Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies., University of the Pacific) for
University of Minnesota: Senegal - MSID - International Development in Senegal
Yes. I am now thinking that I could live abroad for an extended period of time. I loved that I learned a new language.
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. |
All of the courses, especially the cultural and french courses, felt like jokes and had no focus. The best course was the Wolof language course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I think they should have thrown us into the culture more instead of driving around with a bus all the time. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My first host family was doing it more for the money than for me. the second host family was superb! |
| * Food: |
My stomach is like a steel garbage disposal. I had no complaints. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The field trips were fun, but they packed too much into one day. I loved the beach. I did not like Senegalese parties, they sit and do nothing all the time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Not very safe, depending. Just be smart and go with locals. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | About 50 or less. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Watch your money and make a budget during your first week. It's not monopoly money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could practice the language with the professors and my family, but it was not stressed and there were members of my family who spoke English. I used the host country language everyday when I moved the the village, but it was not long enough. During the classroom phase most people spoke English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Know what you want and do not be afraid to look for it/go for it. |
