Experiencing about community-based conservation Past Review
By Hannah (University of Vermont) - abroad from 01/17/2017 to 04/11/2017 with
Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program
I gained field skills and Spanish communication skills. I learned to be more self-sufficient as well.
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. |
Through learning in the field and cultural immersion, I learned field skills, academics, and how to communicate. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living in a tent for 3 months! |
| * Food: |
Really interesting to be part of "asados" (grills of a full-animal - goat, cow etc). |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We worked closely with several people from the community - Round River runs their programs through connecting with local people and figuring out what their needs are, and then figuring out how we can serve them. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Instructors were very attentive to health issues and made some changes to itinerary to accomodate. |
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Great real-world experience helping communities that did not lead to "volunteerism". |
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 a lot of opportunity to buy things because you're often in the field. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $0-$10 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Figure out if you want to buy souvenirs ahead of time! |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go for it! Don't be shy to try. It's ok to mess up. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | There was going to be very spotty Wi-Fi at best and the food options were limited. |
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. |
