Coss-Cultural Learning in Tunisia! Past Review
By A student (International Studies, Arabic, Ohio State University - Columbus) - abroad from 06/15/2012 to 07/22/2012 with
Action AMIDEAST: Social Innovation Abroad in Tunisia
I gained a wonderful insight on life in Tunisia in addition to experiencing interactions with local Tunisian college students. I enjoyed my time with them so much that it for them, I would return!
Review Photos
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. |
Classes did seem rigorous at first but in the end it was totally worth it! Don't be afraid to ask for help (especially when it comes to your Arabic course) and remember to practice, practice, practice! Don't worry on what others will think! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff at AMIDEAST (in Tunisia) were very nice but they really lacked in their timely organization of information that needed to be relayed to us (i.e. orientation packets, site visits, home stays, etc.). There was a complete lack of communication with the staff and our professor and as a student I was very frustrated on the lack of professionalism and timely organization shown during my stay in Tunisia. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
During at our time at the Language Village we stayed in dorms. While it didn't quite meet our expectations (no AC, poor plumbing, etc.) it was able to be overlooked in the long-run due to my positive experience with the Tunisian students. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Tunisian Arabic and Tunisian society courses definitely helped me in feeling more comfortable during my stay but nevertheless I always stuck out but more in a positive way. Rarely did I feel uncomfortable when I was with others. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Never walk alone and ignore comments that you may receive from the locals (for those of you who are girls). |
| 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) |
The stipends we received were more than enough for the five weeks I was there. Still, make sure to have extra cash just in case! |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | No more than 30 Tunisian Dinars per week |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate Arabic |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | N/A |
