Completely different and amazing! Past Review

By (Marketing, University of Denver) for

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Turks and Caicos Islands - Marine Resource Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was an amazing experience and while it wasn't always perfect it was the challenging parts that made the overall experience so great.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There is a significant amount of academic work in this program but I is all awesome. One of the classes is conducted mostly in the field identifying fish and coral. The professors are from all over the world and are very qualified. It is a really unique experience because you eat meals and spend a lot of your time together.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Kate, our program coordinator was so great and supportive of whatever we wanted to do. She did a great job connecting us with the community.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everyone in the program lives in the center and the students are separated in rooms on each side of the main communal area. The rooms have 2 bunkbeds and 4 people as well as a full bathroom.

* Food:

As a vegetarian they were super accommodating but all of it is delivered from Miami on a boat. This also means that sometimes the boat doesn't come and you are living on canned food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

With such a small program you become really close with everyone, even the professors and people in the community. It is an incredible experience.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

It is pretty tricky to health care while on South Caicos, if you really have an issue you have to go to another island or back to Miami. Such a small island makes you pretty safe but there is a curfew.

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Diving
  • Social
  • Academics
* What could be improved?
  • Food
  • Culture
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You are not really going to get to travel much outside of the TCI, but the island and the diving are incredibly beautiful.