Experience of a lifetime. Past Review

By (Health and Human Performance, Berea College) - abroad from 06/12/2014 to 07/16/2014 with

KIIS: Tanzania - Experience Tanzania, Summer Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that there is beauty in the oddest places. Tanzania may not look like the prettiest place in the world, but the people there make it beautiful.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses were very engaging and I enjoyed each one.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I didn't like that we had to stay at a hotel. We were supposed to stay at the University in Dar, but plans fell through. I think this would have made the administration better.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I would have like to have lived with a host rather than staying at a hotel. I don't feel like I got the full experience of Tanzania because I was catered to like an American.

* Food:

The food was delicious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt integrated, but I could have been more integrated if the living arrangements could have been different.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The health care system was terrible in Tanzania compared to the US.

* Safety:

I felt pretty safe most of the time. I even went running on my own in the mornings.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

I barely spent any money on food. Most of my money went towards souvenirs.The program paid for most of the food.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't start buying souvenirs until the end of the trip. Also, keep your money hidden. We had house maids steal our money.

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

Swahili was the main language. Everyone had to use it.

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? AP Spanish
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? Walk around and meet people. Ask them to help you learn new things.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • Freedom
  • Food
  • Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Transportation
  • Housing
  • More time in Zanzibar
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had better contact with the people that I met there.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.