Without a doubt, the best experience in college Past Review
By Emma H (Ecology and Environmental Science, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 09/15/2018 to 12/08/2018 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program
My experience abroad was completely worthwhile. I gained valuable field research skills and learned about the challenges of conservation work. I also made life long friends and joined the supportive and caring community that is Round River.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My semester with Round River was one of the most formative experiences of my college career. I had the opportunity to gain valuable field work experience and participate in applied conservation work. I learned so much during the semester that I never would have been able to in a regular college classroom. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was happy to live in a tent all semester - just make sure you bring a good tent! The hostels that we stayed in between trips were all very nice. |
| * Food: |
Students are responsible for cooking throughout the semester. The instructors were always willing to get us the ingredients for what we wanted to cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our instructors were always seeking out opportunities for us to engage with the local culture. A five-day homestay was one of the highlights of my semester. We did spend several weeks of the semester on backcountry field expeditions, which limited the amount of cultural immersion. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
All of the instructors have at minimum their Wilderness First Responder certification. I was impressed by the professionalism and care with which health issues were addressed during the program. |
| * Safety: |
Round River operates in extremely remote places that carry an inherent level of risk. I thought the instructors addressed these risks appropriately throughout the program and were always attentive to students safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
My semester with Round River in Patagonia was everything I could have hoped for and more. The program met all my requirements - cultural and language immersion, applied conservation work, field work experience, and an incredible community of people. |
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) |
Money was only necessary for souvenirs and personal treats. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $5 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would recommend bringing your favorite treats/snacks from the United States versus trying to buy products in Patagonia where they will be more expensive. |
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 |
Our instructors were always encouraging us to try out our Spanish, both with locals and amongst ourselves. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | 2 years of high school |
| 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? | I would definitely recommend taking classes before the semester. Duolingo is also really helpful. |
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? | Backpacking is a plus on Round River semesters but is not guaranteed. If you are interested in this program solely to backpack, I would look into other opportunities. |
