Roller coaster of new experiences, wonderful people, and lived learning! Past Review

By A student (Geography and Cartography., Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/19/2014 to 05/09/2014 with

SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Cities in the 21st Century: People, Planning and Politics (Fall 2)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned so much from the people I met throughout this semester. Every minute was worthwhile. I learned a lot from each of my classes about urban studies, local and global politics, planning trends, etc., but even more so about how the decisions that are made in high-level offices can and do impact the lived experiences of people of all social, economic, cultural, political, religious groups.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Challenging academically -- but with very, very good professors, guest lecturers, support, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Our country coordinators were incredible! Always amazing, very helpful, excited to work with us.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Couldn't speak more highly about my host families.
* Food:	Host families were incredible cooks!!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Host families made a huge difference, but it is hard to feel integrated in such different cultures in only a month.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Always good. Very prepared with information pre departure, and with information upon arrival in-country.
* Safety:	If you're smart, you'll be fine.
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	0-$15 per week

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
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?	Host families! My comparative analysis project The other people on the program -- all non-Middlebury students, all amazing and brilliant!
* What could be improved?	It should be longer (6 weeks in each country?) Would loved to have learned more about education A little more time on our own to "figure it out"
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	PACK LIGHT! Host family gifts can really mean a lot -- get something that you would like too!

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Politics and Development
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:	Juan
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Challenging - Juan is an amazing professor! -- Did good job of integrating site visits and experiential aspects with academica.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Unknown

Course Name/Rating:	Culture and Society
Course Department:	Anthropology
Instructor:	Carmen
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Very good integration with experiential learning! Carmen is brilliant,and usually very well prepared. Challenging, but definitely fair
Credit Transfer Issues:	unknown

Course Name/Rating:	Urban Planning and Sustainable Environments
Course Department:	Geography
Instructor:	Camila Cocina
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Phenomenal course! Camila is a brilliant teacher, very clear - without simplifying concepts. Learned a lot about architecture, design, urban planning, participation and sustainability!
Credit Transfer Issues:	Unknown

Course Name/Rating:	Contemporary Urban Issues
Course Department:	Geography
Instructor:	Juan Arbona
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	An incredible experience. Very immersive. I chose to study community improvements in informal settlements in each city, and I met amazing people and learned so, so much from them - more than I ever would have in a classroom setting. Juan was a great advisor, and pushed me to think more critically, and more broadly and focused at the same time!
Credit Transfer Issues: