Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Trip of a Lifetime Past Review

By (Carleton College) - abroad from 06/26/2018 to 08/06/2018 with

Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
On the program, I not only learned immense amounts about environmental research and conservation, but also about Mongolian perspectives towards land and other people. It was extremely inspiring and I've returned to the states with a perspective towards relationships that I had not previously understood.

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.

The academics were all related to the field work we were conducting, allowed for amazing hands-on experiential learning. The instructors were flexible about scheduling.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All instructors involved were amazing, both in terms of academic support and providing the best experience for the students as possible.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

As long as you brought a good tent, satisfactory housing was inevitable.

* Food:

We were lucky enough to have a cook who provided amazing meals, accommodating for the vegetarians in the group.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The cultural integration was my favorite aspect of the program. Getting to know locals was a crucial part of my experience and my cultural awareness was heightened.

* 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

Round River's Mongolia program was an amazing experience. It challenged me to do things outside my comfort zone and provided me with conservation research knowledge, but most importantly it exposed me to a culture vastly different from my own.

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)

No necessary on-site expenditures

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $0
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The only money needed is that which would be spent on souvenirs or during traveling.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Hostel
* 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?
  • People
  • Landscapes
* What could be improved?
  • Scheduling
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Getting to know local people is one of the most meaningful parts of the trip.

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.