Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wonderful Study Abroad Exeperience Past Review

By (Westminster College, UT) - abroad from 06/22/2018 to 08/06/2018 with

Round River Conservation Studies - Mongolia Conservation Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned job-applicable ecological skills by actually doing fieldwork outside of a classroom.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I joined the 2018 Summer program in Mongolia and it was incredible. From the breathtaking views of the jagged, high altitude mountains to the rolling plains, I couldn't have picked a more beautiful place to spend my summer. The conservation curriculum was interesting and informative. After completing the program, I feel confident conducting and presenting research to audiences that can use the work to implement political and environmental change. My favorite part of the program was the way Round River worked closely with the Horidal-Saridag Park Rangers, located near where we were stationed in Ulaan Uul, Mongolia. The relationships I made with the rangers, fellow students, and instructors are lifelong and key to the comprehensive conservation conducted during the summer. I would highly recommend this to the outdoorsy adventurous student who is looking to improve their conservation ideology and skills.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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

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? None- The program's cost are all inclusive

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

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
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

  • Local Students
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?
  • Experiential learning
  • Adventurous experience
  • Close knit community
* What could be improved?
  • Transportation-- this is hard to improve though, because Mongolia is a big country with low infrastructure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to bring peanut butter, because it isn't sold in Mongolia!

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.