A Rocky road, the seems to have been worth it (mostly) Past Review

By (Peace And Justice Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/16/2012 to 05/08/2013 with

SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Health and Community: Globalization, Culture and Care (Spring 1)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned an enormous amount about myself, and I have a new connection and my values and desires. Many of my perspectives and beliefs were consistently challenged and complicated in a really important way, and I learned new ways of articulating myself and my place in the world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic rigor of this program was very inconsistent. Part of that is an important reality of travelling and moving around frequently, but part of it undoubtedly felt like poor planning and coordination. Aloof the courses were challenging and illuminating in particular ways, but some were difficult to access or draw together coherently. Overall it felt like there was a lax of structured processing and co-learning.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I faced several health challenges during the program, for which I felt very well cared for.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Often there are good options that are cheaper but a little harder to find, but it is often really worth it.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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
  • Hands-on site visits in small groups
  • Radical faculty
* What could be improved?
  • Facilitation of discussion as a teaching tool
  • Fostering a learning community
  • Challenging oppression within group
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's promises of a cooperative co-learning community and experiential education are not necessarily reflected in much of the reality of the program.

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.'