Making Memories Past Review
By Simona (Naropa University) - abroad from 01/20/2018 to 06/22/2018 with
Naropa University: Bhutan Study Abroad Program
So many lessons occurred on this trip (inside and outside the classroom). I feel more equipped to pursue future research projects in environmental fields and to pursue a technical degree. I feel like I gained a lot of insight into communal living, adapting to circumstances and intercultural-communication skills. Absolutely worthwhile!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Naropa program could also be considered an honors program as the reading load is quite large. The classes at the Royal University of Bhutan were a different style than I was familiar with which proved difficult. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program leader Anne Parker is wonderful! She has lots of knowledge and experience in the region of the Himalaya which makes her a great guide. Tshering Choden from RUB is also a wonderful supportive link. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The facilities sometimes have difficulties with water and wi-fi. As long as you are adaptable this won't be an issue and will help you tap into some resourceful skills you may not have known you had. |
| * Food: |
Delicious! I love spicy food and the Bhutanese cuisine has chilis in most of the dishes. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living in the student housing was a link to the local culture and I found the the majority of students and community members are excited and ready to share their culture with you! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare is free in Bhutan. I visited the local clinics on a few occasions for some minor issues and the process was easeful! They practice traditional and western medicine here so whichever one you would like to pursue, you can choose |
| * Safety: |
The college has security guards and some policies that are there to keep students safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I did do it all over again! The program is a semester long and I went through the steps to make it happen a second time! |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 25-50 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You will receive more money than the local students for stipends every month. Remember that sharing is a way that we look out for each other. |
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 |
Classes are in english and most of the students have really good english speaking skills. There are little courses in the local languages |
| 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? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Seek out some literature resources or listen to music |
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? | I wish I had known that it was going to be so difficult to say goodbye. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
