Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sense of Place in the South Pacific January 24, 2023

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 10/02/2022 to 12/23/2022 with

Sea Education Association: Sustainability in Pacific Island Communities and Ecosystems

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I saw many real-life examples of how to live in right relationship with the earth and in community with others. I was exposed to different cultures, food, ways of being that give me much more hope and ideas of possibility than I have found at home.

Review Photos

Sea Education Association: Sustainability in Pacific Island Communities and Ecosystems Photo

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned a lot, was able to grow as a person, see a new part of the world, meet a lot of amazing people, have different experiences that will stick with me for a long time.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

One professor was in charge of programming and she did a wonderful job because she is heavily connected within the country and there is a culture of generosity and care.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

On shore, living arrangements were all students in a house together with a program assistant helping out with all things not academic. At sea, bunk areas were small but comfortable enough and is necessary on a ship.

* Food:

Food of the area was delicious and we tried to make a lot of local food. Students cooked for ourselves on shore and then helped out a couple days in making food for everyone on the ship.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Our professor helped us understand local culture and lot and teach us basic Tahitian words and phrases. Knowing French would have been helpful as well to be able to connect with people and understand more.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

n/a

* Safety:

Very safe and comfortable because of strong communities and care.

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)

Almost everything in program is paid for already in program cost. Flights need to be bought separately!! This added about $1000 to the program cost that was unclear before enrollment. Other than that, money spent was on souvenirs.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Professor Josiane DiGiorgio
  • Local food
  • Sailing
* What could be improved?
  • Diversity and inclusivity of students and institution
  • Shore class schedule
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Learning some French to be in French Polynesia is very helpful

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Sense of Place
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Class in Woods Hole, MA to understand what a sense of place is, learn about Tahitian culture and history, and how food creates a sense of place. Really multifaceted class with a lot of parts and overall gave a framing of how to connect with the places we visited and gave background info.
Credit Transfer Issues: