Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best four months of my life. Past Review

By (International and Global Studies: Africa, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/20/2015 to 12/14/2015 with

CIEE: Tanzania - Community Development, Language + Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about culture, I learned how to make myself happy and I have gained so much self-confidence.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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? Yes

It is an amazing program. The director is great. You learn so much, you see so much of the country but you also have a home. I was so close with the other Americans and I learned so much mostly through experience.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat in the dining hall

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

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? 101 Intro to Swahili
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? Study when at the University

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The Students
  • The Tanzanians
  • The Travel
* What could be improved?
  • Dorms
  • Classes/ Class rigor
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Malarone profalaxis does not necessarily work in this region to prevent malaria, as I got malaria.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Managing Community Development Programs
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was poorly instructed by a Tanzanian instructor. The standards of evaluation were unclear and the professor was always late. He was a bad professor and the class material was boring and could have been learned from a book. Class was not helpful.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Swahili
Course Department:
Instructor: Paulo Kateme
Instruction Language: Swahili
Comments: The class was amazing. Learned a lot of swahili and the professor was excellent.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Research Methods
Course Department:
Instructor: Justin Beckham
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was very interesting. I learned a lot about research and have decided to pursue it in the future
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Issues in Education
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was very interesting and the standards of evaluations were clear. It was a great class
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Prehistory Myths and Legends
Course Department:
Instructor: Falres Illomo
Instruction Language:
Comments: This class was amazing. The professor told stories that related to his research and I learned a lot about specific local cultural customs and norms. It was awesome.
Credit Transfer Issues: