Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Embrace the unkown! April 11, 2024

By (International Relations, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/03/2023 to 12/21/2023 with

SIT Study Abroad: Vietnam - Culture, Social Change and Development

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
i learned how to travel around SEA and live with another family and bridge language barrier and be grateful

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

i had the most amazing host family and program assitants

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? not sure since i used a foreign currency but very little, under 30$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? keep track of how much you 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? nothing
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? talk to locals

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • my host family
  • the travel component
  • hands learning on compnent
* What could be improved?
  • academic classes
  • the lanuage class was weak
  • prep on what to get vaccinated for before hand
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that i didnt need to spend so much money on vaccines

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 Blazer
Craving 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:

Research Methods
Course Department: n/a
Instructor: we many
Instruction Language: english
Comments: no wasnt challenging but confusing, very simple and elementary, and dint really support me during my independent research
Credit Transfer Issues: i havent yet