Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sit in a sauna, eat carbs, look at elephants. Past Review

By (Environmental Policy, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/22/0015 to 12/15/2015 with

Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Worthwhile to be there, but the program has a lot of kinks to work out.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There was less "learning from the bush" than I expected. Classes were easy and educational.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We only had four leaders in the county- the two American ones were new and didn't always know what was going on. I think organization will improve if they both stay with the program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We were camping for three months, but my tent mate was awesome. Make sure you bring a comfortable sleeping mat, and you can buy a big, cheap pillow in Maun.

* Food:

We all took turns cooking from cans- it tasted pretty ok but monotonous. DO NOT expect fresh fruits or veggies.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There are opportunities to interact with locals, I just didn't always take advantage of them. You will spend the majority of time alone in the bush though.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

If people were ill they were taken to the doctor promptly. Several vaccines and malaria pills necessary.

* Safety:

The drinking water situation was absolutely unacceptable-its a miracle we didn't all get sick. There are a lot of dangerous animals around that lead to limited freedom, so I was terrified but not unsafe, if that makes since.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

5. Almost everything is provided, just bring for snacks and souvenirs. Majoity of money was spent on alcohol.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $400 overall. Do not have access to stores every week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy a lot of tapestries in Maun. They are inexpensive and beautiful. Don't buy expensive drinks.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • I loved just looking at the animals.
  • Swimming.
  • Giraffes
* What could be improved?
  • less time sitting in camp
  • clean drinking water
  • more time with animals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't worry!!!! None of my fears came true. If you go you'll have a great time and learn a lot but lose any semblance of personal freedom.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Humans and the Environment
Course Department: Africa
Instructor: Ben and Kaggie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: For classes, we mostly read articles and then had discussions. Teachers were good. As I mentioned there was less "learning from the bush" than I would have liked, but when we did those things if was fun. Open book test at the end, one essay.
Credit Transfer Issues: I think I only get 4 credits, although I took 5 classes. Not sure yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Field Methods
Course Department: Africa
Instructor: Ben and Kaggie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: For classes, we mostly read articles and then had discussions. Teachers were good. As I mentioned there was less "learning from the bush" than I would have liked, but when we did those things if was fun. Open book test at the end.
Credit Transfer Issues: I think I get 4.
Course Name/Rating:

Natural History
Course Department: Science
Instructor: Ben and Kaggie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Learning the scientific, Setswana, and identification of hundreds plants, animals and birds for final. Final not 100% fair- teachers would point in a direction and say "what's that." There are a lot of things in that direction. This is the one class you need to study for. For classes, we mostly read articles and then had discussions. Teachers were good. As I mentioned there was less "learning from the bush" than I would have liked, but when we did those things if was fun.
Credit Transfer Issues: 4 creits
Course Name/Rating:

Conservation Biology
Course Department: Science
Instructor: Ben and Kaggie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Do Grinnell's (detailed recordings of days and encounters) early and with a good attitude. They are stupid and repetitive but the species accounts are fun. For classes, we mostly read articles and then had discussions. Teachers were good. As I mentioned there was less "learning from the bush" than I would have liked, but when we did those things if was fun. Open book test at the end, one essay. HUGE final project, working all day every day for nine days. Topics are interesting. Don't panic and have fun with graphs. Presentation to ORI as well.
Credit Transfer Issues: 4 credits
Course Name/Rating:

CBNRM
Course Department: Africa
Instructor: Ben and Kaggie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Almost exactly like Humans and the Environment. About communities managing resources. For classes, we mostly read articles and then had discussions. Teachers were good. As I mentioned there was less "learning from the bush" than I would have liked, but when we did those things if was fun. Open book test at the end, one essay.
Credit Transfer Issues: 4 credits.