Young, Wild, and Free Past Review
By KATHLEEN T (Chemistry., Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/20/2012 to 05/08/2012 with
SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Health and Community: Globalization, Culture and Care (Spring 1)
I learned so much more about the public health system, and I honestly miss it very much. It was super informative because we got to meet and understand the positions of different stakeholders in the public health sector, look at how healthcare affects different populations of people, and so much more! I learned to be a better global citizen as well as become more politically active to ensure that people will get the aid they need. IT WAS DEFINITE an experience of a lifetime.
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. |
I loved the hands-on public health experience. There were numerous amazing opportunities to visit clinics/hospitals, NGOs, as well as other agencies that influence public health. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved all of my home stay experiences. The country coordinators are also very good about switching home stay families if they do not work out. |
| * Food: |
FOOD WAS AMAZING! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The families and people that we interacted with were very open to sharing their culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe |
| 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) |
This is a hard question because it changed country to country. In Brazil, transportation for those who lived further out made it very inconvenient but otherwise, it was well handled. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Souvenirs were very expensive, but food was fairly cheap. It again varies from country to country |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do activities in groups |
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 |
We had language immersion classes but they weren't very intensive. Then again, we were only in each country for a month. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Talk to your host families. Trade language advices. |
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? | Bring more money for souvenirs. |
