An awesome experience! Past Review
By A student (University of Vermont) - abroad from 02/04/2019 to 05/20/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Bolivia - Multiculturalism, Globalization, and Social Change
How to overcome the challenges of being abroad/speaking a different language made me much more confident in my life in the US. Also my Spanish ability improved a lot.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Having all the classes in Spanish was definitely a challenge, but it was do-able! All the staff, including teachers, were very helpful and understanding. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program director is great!! I felt like I could go to any of the program staff for any issues I was having, no matter how big or small |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was super nice and accommodating. When living with a host family, you really get out of it what you put in, so you have to be ready to really put yourself out there which can sometime be difficult. |
| * Food: |
The food is amazing! Sometimes accommodating dietary restrictions seemed to be difficult, but I didn't observe any major issues with any of my peers who had dietary restrictions. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family and commuting to class every day definitely helped integrate me with the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Getting medicine from the pharmacy is very easy and accessible, but the program doctor is not the best. However, the program staff is very understanding if you get sick and is there to help you with anything you need. |
| * Safety: |
Like any city, it is important to take precautions when living abroad. I never felt explicitly unsafe, but I also never walked home alone at night and was very vigilant when I was alone in the city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The support I got during this program as well as the level of Spanish immersion would make me chose this program again. |
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) |
All my meals were provided through the program budget, so any extra money I spent was on extra trips or souvenirs. You also get reimbursed for any medical expenses, although you do have to pay for those out of pocket in the moment. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | an average of $15 (only really spent it on coffee, dinner with friends, etc.) |
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 Spanish improved so much! I am now much more confident in my ability to speak it. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 100 level courses |
| 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? | Really try and talk to your host family a lot. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | the packing list needs to be updated! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
