Once in a lifetime experience Past Review
By Emily H (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/15/2013 to 12/14/2013 with
CIEE: Khon Kaen - Community Public Health
It put the world into context and made me realize what is truly important.
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. |
The in classroom academics were a bit subpar. We were taught in three hour increments by Thai Ajaans, who we often had difficulty understanding. The entire classroom was surfing the internet during classes. That being said, the research and in community portion of the program was fantastic. It put faces to the public health situation in Thailand and allowed us to connect with the country in an unique way. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was in a double dorm room with an attached bathroom. We were paired with Thai roommates. Rooms were large and more than acceptable. |
| * Food: |
We had plenty of options for eating. Immerse yourself in Thai cuisine, so much better than sticking to American basics and way cheaper. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very integrated. The tutors, roommates and homestays were fabulous opportunities to really integrate ourselves into thai culture and get to know thai people. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Most people end up in the hospital because you don't go to the doctor's and you're in a completely different environment people get sick. We went to a local private hospital where the health care was exceptional for a typical south east asian country. |
| * Safety: |
I go to school in a village of 8,000 people in New England and I never felt scared during my travels in Khon Kaen (even running to the convience store late at night). |
| 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) |
Very cheap. I spent $2000 (including four week-two week vacations). I averaged spending $6/day in Khon Kaen and bought whatever I wanted, whenever I did because money was not a limiting factor. Hotel/hostel rooms were $5-$20/night, food was $1-3 per meal unless it was western. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$50/week in Khon Kaen |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No western food. Money spent is really dependent on how much you travel and how you travel. You can travel cheaply very cheaply or pretty well within a reasonable budget. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | None |
| 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? | Use it! You have so many opportunities. Have fun with it. |
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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| 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? |
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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? | The academics and program structure was a bit frustrating at times. We were a very large group so hopefully they will be able to figure out how to execute the program better in the future. |
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 BlazerCraving 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: |
Introduction to Thai |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Ajaan Jeab |
| Instruction Language: | Thai |
| Comments: | Yes. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Not sure... credits don't transfer until after the evaluation |
