Sweat, Fufu, and Tears Past Review
By Ben W (Sociology., Clark University - Worcester) - abroad from 08/01/2013 to 06/06/2014 with
CIEE: Legon - Arts + Sciences
The ability to take things as they come and be less impatient. Very worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were not challenging. I got my midterms back with grades/comments in only 5 classes of the 8 where it was applicable. One professor even denied my request to see my grade/comments. I was also denied the opportunity through my program to appeal grades I found unfair. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There were recurring miscommunication issues, but otherwise they were fantastic. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I never got an excellent grasp of Twi. I felt like that ostracized me a bit from Ghanaians because there was an important dimension of Ghanaian culture that I was largely excluded from. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had a minor health problem but was able to have it resolved by texting with our program's doctor and avoiding the hassle of navigating a foreign healthcare system. The yellow fever vaccine is required, and others such as typhoid are recommended. |
| * Safety: |
Super super safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Living in a homestay cost less than the dorms, and having them provide most of my meals also greatly reduced the cost. I traveled very little and spent roughly $250 a month. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | See previous answer |
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? | 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? | Practice with program staff, host family, friends in the program, and as many native speakers as possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | The educational experience was nightmarish at times. I expected different education expectations, but I was also expecting those to be communicated in the beginning. Some were, but not all. I wish I had been strongly strongly encouraged to communicate with professors about my midterms and grades before the final exam. |
