Frequent Flier Miles Past Review

By (Economics and Environmental Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/07/2013 to 12/19/2013 with

SIT Study Abroad: IHP Climate Change - The Politics of Land, Water, and Energy Justice

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was so worthwhile. I really learned how to be alone as well as how people address climate change issues around the world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses were very manageable with all the traveling and coursework.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved all of my homestay families. I got to know them all and it was fun trying to communicate with them even though I sometimes didn't speak their language.

* Food:

The food was provided by the homestays or by the program and I never had any complaints.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

It really depended on the person. On my trip I chose to take every opportunity and travel around the countries that I visited. Each country had a different cost of living so there was no set amount each week, but the stipends from the program helped.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? This varied from week to week since most of the food is suppose to be provided by our host families or through a stipend the program gives us. The only fees I had to pay was individual travel and entertainment
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just be reasonable about spending. I never bought very expensive things in each of the countries that I went to.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Homestays
  • Site Vists
  • Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Stipends- even in countries where we live with homestays the whole time
  • Travel to get to site visits would sometimes take half a day
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Pack less, pack light, don't expect things to be done for you, you have to do things yourself.

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.'