Learning through experience Past Review
By A student (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/03/2014 to 12/16/2014 with
SIT Study Abroad: Vietnam - Culture, Social Change and Development
I learned a lot about the complex history and culture of Vietnam, and the struggles of a country going through rapid transition.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was not very academically intense, especially coming from Wellesley. If you're looking for a purely academic experience, I would not recommend this program. Each class does not have a specific professor who specializes in a specific subject. So you do get to learn about a broad range of topics, but don't really go past the surface level. However, I definitely learned a lot through observation and interaction with the local people. Going abroad for me was about learning through experience, which this program definitely brought. Learning through books and classes, not so much. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
I personally love Vietnamese food. However, if you've got serious food allergies or are super picky you could have a hard time. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program staff work really hard to introduce you to local students and families, and take you to non-touristy places. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Generally speaking, I felt pretty safe. You do have to watch out for thieves on motorbikes though. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Everything was so cheap! Could get lunch for 16000vnd (75cents). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 15$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Street food is delicious and cheap, so stick with that as much as possible. Also, while motorbike taxis can be kind of dangerous, they're significantly cheaper than regular taxis (although you really shouldn't ride them if you're drunk or if it's night). |
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 |
They encouraged us to when you could, but Vietnamese is really hard and they don't expect you to be very good at it. However, locals really encourage you to learn Vietnamese and are excited to help you. Foreigners usually don't even try and they appreciate you trying to understand their culture. |
| 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? | Talking to your host family and local friends. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Don't plan on taking the classes too seriously. Don't be overly ambitious with your ISP. Go outside and experience Vietnam! |
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. |
