IHP changed my life! Past Review
By Graciela G (Sociology., Wellesley College) for
SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Cities in the 21st Century: People, Planning and Politics (Fall 1)
Definitely worthwhile. It was different and it was challenging and it wholly changed me.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned the most from the guest lecturers and site visits, - all of them were excellent. The traveling professors were helpful in working through ideas, but the program really relies on experts from the country to do most of the teaching. This is something that is an essential part of IHP and the reason why I value my experience with the program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
IHP is a well run machine. All of the site coordinators were excellent and it was clear that they used their previous work with the program to give us the best experience we could have as students and as visitors to their country. Though this was only with our particular class, the one major weakness was that the faculty and administration waited too long to intervene in a major conflict that was happening between members of the group. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The host families were all incredible. Living with them was one of the best ways to learn about the politics and culture of the country. Every place was safe, clean, and the our hosts really included us as part of their families. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was able to make incredible friendships, but I also realize that was not the case for everyone in the group. It can be difficult spending all your time with the same group of 30 individuals, and there will be definitely times when you all don't agree/like each other. But that's just the nature of group life in general. I think the best way to approach non-academic aspects of IHP is to really take advantage of the academic opportunities - field trips, group projects, home stays, etc. - because the best discussions and fun times will really emerge from those times when you are all experiencing the same thing, together. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It depends which country you are in. Expect to spend most of your money on buying lunch everyday. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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