Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A challenging but amazing, rich, horizon-broadening, and worthwhile experience Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/31/2014 to 12/13/2014 with

SIT Study Abroad: Senegal: Global Security and Religious Pluralism

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I broadened my horizons and opened my mind so much.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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?

The program had very strong safety precautions in place, with an Ebola Virus Disease outbreak occurring in some areas of West Africa at the time. (Senegal had only 1 case the entire time I was there.) I felt very safe and well-educated about how to stay safe throughout the duration of the program, in large part thanks to the program staff's efforts!

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? max 80,000-90,000 CFA (140-160 USD)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eating at restaurants can get expensive quickly. If you're not going to cook, then some good cheaper options include: prepared foods at the supermarket, food from boutiques, street food.

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

Wolof, French

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • emphasis on experiential learning
  • small program size
  • homestay family living for almost the whole duration of the program
* What could be improved?
  • more free time (not at school) on weekdays
  • excursions spread out more throughout the program duration, if possible
  • longer program duration (was only 15 weeks)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The Ebola situation in Senegal as it was at that time and the safety precautions taken by SIT did not warrant how hyped up and afraid of going I was before I left for the program. Senegal is a big place! Africa is a humongous place!