An Incredible, Life Changing Experience in the Bush! Past Review
By Mallory P (Animal Sciences., University of Vermont) - abroad from 09/20/2013 to 12/13/2013 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Namibia Desert Program
I gained 6 new lifelong friends, self confidence, world travel experience, memories that I will always remember, independence, an understanding of what kind of career that I want.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was discussion based with very few lectures! It was great to learn in a new way that you would not experience at a university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Both leaders were exceptional and made the semester incredible. Both were very knowledgeable, nice, open, trusting and outgoing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was an experience of a lifetime to live a tent for a semester. Our base camp also provided us with showers, running water and had an amazing view of the sunset. |
| * Food: |
It was a new experience to cook all of our own food. Although we ate the same thing almost every day, it was awesome to create new dishes when we got groceries! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We spent a lot of time in the local communities and speaking with communities members. It was great to learn some of the local languages, teach in the local schools and to be able to conduct surveys with the community members. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Our leaders emphasized being very open and honest with them about our health. If there was a health issue it was taken seriously and was addressed immediately. |
| * Safety: |
We were always very cautious of our surroundings especially while in the bush. I always felt safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
We rarely spent any money since most the time we did not have access to town. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I only spent money in the last few days of our trip. I spent $200. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | None. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 0 |
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 felt well prepared by Round River for this program. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
