Semester in Environmental Science: Not What I Expected Past Review

By (Geology, Carleton College) for

Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL): Woods Hole - Semester in Environmental Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes. I now know that I don't want to focus on biology, but that I love environmental science as a genera. The independent research was the original draw, and the portion I loved best. The people were amazing, the program was challenging, far reaching, but poorly timed.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

We lived on the MBL campus, with predominantly other students in our program, but also a number of graduate students and visiting scientists who we didn't have much contact with.

* Food:

They were very accommodating and lovely people, it was just low on vegetarian options and they used more oils in the food than I prefer.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

whale watching off Provincetown, MA, kayak trip in Plum Island, lots of intermittent field work on the cape

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I had my wisdom teeth out during the program and was expected to return to class the same day. This did not occur.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? less than $10. Food was all provided, and we pretty much stayed on campus.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I had to get very nice dress clothes for the symposium at the end.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Become best friends with the other participants, and keep pulling each other up. This program would have been intolerable without the other students.