I dit n samba, huh! Past Review
By Tali A (Sarah Lawrence College) - abroad from 09/05/2013 to 12/04/2013 with
Carleton Global Engagement: Arts and Culture in Cameroon
I can't answer this question well without way more time and thought. Too much to get into. Yes, it was more than worthwhile.
Review Photos
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. |
The educational experience I had with this program was entirely unique. I learned so much that I simply couldn't have staying at home and did so through hands on work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It is hard to do the job that the program director for this program does, and he does it well. Perhaps equally important, he chooses really amazing people to work with in Kankan so that you can learn from people who are really a part of life there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I will be honest, an open mind and easy-going attitude will only serve you well. My home stay experience was one of the best parts of the program. I wouldn't change a thing. It is different, for sure. If you need a real toilet with running water and 24 hour electricity, you're going to have a hard time anywhere in Guinea. We lived very well for what is standard there. |
| * Food: |
Similar to the sentiments above. I ate rice for most meals during the entirety of the program because that is what my host mom made me. The sauce changed and sometimes there was lamb instead of fish. One time there was chicken. I had the same breakfast every morning. These are things that took getting used to, but they were normal for the people I was living with so I wanted them to be normal for me too. The program director makes a point of telling all host families: oh yea, these Americans love salad! So I did get a few of those, which they probably wouldn't have done on their own. If for some reason I was really determined to stick to a particular diet, I am sure it could be worked out, but it would have changed the experience more than I would have wanted. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I ended up staying after the program and working with the same troupe of musicians and dancers that had been my teachers during the program for another month. There are people there who began referring to me as family, and I in return, and they will always be family to me. Having been on another study abroad program where I mostly stuck to the other foreign students, I can say with certainty the level of social and cultural integration with this program is astounding. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Be smart. Kankan is practically crime free but if you show everyone where your fat stack of American cash is, there will be people who take advantage of that. I had no problems and even stopped locking my doors. |
| 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) |
Kankan is cheap. I withdrew the equivalent of about $50 every two weeks. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | See above. Program expenses were covered. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn how to walk places. |
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 |
Very little English is spoken in Guinea so the language component was very important. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French: two years in high school Malinke: zero |
| 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? | Make friends with locals. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 10+ |
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? | Your ideas of a place you've never been are probably not a very accurate picture of reality, so preparing for your imaginary idea won't do you any favors. Go as yourself and be ready to let it change you. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
