IHP Health and Community, if you think it's the program for you, it is. Past Review
By Elizabeth B (Health Policy Analysis., Wellesley College) for
SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Health and Community: Globalization, Culture and Care (Fall 1)
I really gained a greater appreciation for the diverse ways people approach and live life. And I think this experience clarified for me that health is the field I want to enter.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Neither of our professors were great, one didn't even really know what he was supposed to be teaching. But the professors change every semester, so this doesn't reflect what other groups may experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Host country administration really varied by country. The countries with more established programs ran better, but overall the quality of experience was mostly based on how much you could get yourself out into the communities, and interact with people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host families are always a shot in the dark in terms of compatibility, but I would say there were only a couple dissatisfying families in each country. Overall, I wouldn't have traded my host families for anything they were absolutely amazing. |
| * Food: |
The program did a great job accommodating food allergies and dietary restrictions. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The social and cultural experiences are the best part of the program |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
You're gonna get sick, be prepared and don't stress about it too much. Just accept that diarrhea happens. And safety was really only a problem in South Africa; while you're there trust your instincts, and while you're being mugged (and someone or many someones will be mugged) just let it happen and don't fight back. |
| 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? | Be prepared to spend money on sending stuff home, especially if you pack too much or buy too much along the way. Switzerland is expensive, India seems cheap, but man do autorickshaw rides add up fast, China is wonderfully inexpensive, and South Africa is a little more expensive than the US. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't pack too much. You will be very surprised how little you can live quite happily off of!! |
