Powerful, incredible, life-changing! Bolivia is beautiful! Past Review
By Ajai S (Sociology; International & Global Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/28/2013 to 12/10/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: Bolivia - Multiculturalism, Globalization, and Social Change
I learned that even though we may have good intentions to help another country, doesn't mean we are not causing more harm than good. It was definitely worthwhile!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved my educational experience! Each day I learned something new, from the articles I read for class lectures to interacting and conversing with Bolivians. |
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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 pleased with my living arrangements. I was always provided with the necessities(a bed, blankets, my own room, warmth, love, etc.). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My program was very helpful for me when I needed to see a doctor by making the appointment, and being present with me in the doctor's office. The healthcare system is cheaper in Bolivia then in the United States. I was not used to paying cash each time I visited the doctor because in the U.S. the insurance company pays for it. The prevalent issues that affect majority in the program were bad digestive systems from constant diarrhea to constipation this was usually caused by various reasons, such as, altitude change, raw foods, contaminated drinking water, etc. The mandatory vaccines needed for this program were the yellow fever vaccination, MMR(measles,mumps, rubella); and Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis. |
| * Safety: |
Always be alert and careful of your surroundings. Never travel alone, especially in the evenings. Pit-pocketing is usually the common crime two people in my program experienced this semester. One incident was a student wearing a risk wallet and a young individual snatched the wallet off of her risk. The second scene was a a student walking home with a long strap purse on her shoulders, a car pulls up to her, a guy gets out of the car and cuts the strap of the purse and drives off in his vehicle. |
| 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) |
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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 |
My program always encouraged the use of spanish. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | My course was beginner's 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? | Practice games online in spanish, watch spanish movies, learn five new spanish words a day an incorporate those words into your daily life/ |
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? |
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? | To not only learn, but to do as well. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
