Stepping off the "veranda" -- the beautiful complexity of francophone Africa Past Review
By A student (Political Economy., Barnard College) - abroad from 01/13/2013 to 05/12/2013 with
CIEE: Dakar - Development Studies in Senegal
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was worthwhile! While it was great having a program guide me through the integration and teach me what I learned in class, the most valuable experiences I had were outside the classroom, spending time immersed in the culture of my host country.
Review Photos
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? |
Homestay |
| * 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? |
No
|
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) |
Was provided with a weekly stipend for food, which was very helpful |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | between $10 and $100 a week...depending on "extracurricular" activities |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | do not assume that because a country is poorer or has a crazy exchange rate that cost of living for a student with American standards will be considerably lower than in the states. |
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 |
All courses were in foreign language |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced (5th semester) college level |
| 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 the locals or get a boyfriend/best girlfriend who speaks the language. Break away from your English-speaking classmates! |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | More accurate details on course rigor |
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.' |
Featured Program Providers
