International Honors Program: Learn about the World and Yourself Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Coming from a pretty competitive academic institution, I did not find the work rigorous at all. However, I felt that the program really facilitated constant critical and intellectual discussion. I was able to exchange ideas with peers in constructive conversation nearly all the time without having to worry about formulating it into a paper or presentation or getting a grade for it.

On-site administration of your program

This rating really ought to be all over the place. India country administrators/coordinators were not the most organized. The China and South Africa country coordinators, however, were extremely organized and outings appropriately facilitated our learning.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Every living situation was different, but every single one presented you with so much to learn. Obviously you're not going to be staying in 5-star hotels, but staying in a small, stuffy, and very hot apartment in Chennai was well worth the learning experiences I had both about myself and about everyday life in Chennai. All of my host families were great people, and if you commit to getting to know your host family and making the best of a tricky living situation, you will come away with invaluable knowledge and experience.

In each country I discovered amazing food and learned to cook a couple different dishes from my host families!!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It's nearly impossible to "integrate" into Indian and Chinese culture as an American where we were. You stick out like a sore thumb everywhere. South Africa was a bit easier. But in each country I met amazing people who were committed to spending time with me and showing me their way of doing things. I went to a wedding in China, went to temples with my family in India, and cooked dinner every night with my family in South Africa. I felt extremely welcomed into the homes of my host families and they encouraged me to venture out to nearby cultural sites.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any serious health problems besides an unpleasant 24-hr stomach virus. The only thing I could do about that was get Gatorade and crackers (which my program coordinators provided). All staff and coordinators were extremely attentive to any student health concerns, and the fact that most of the students were interested in health and medicine made for extremely productive discussions about how to take care of yourself mentally and physically!

We received a lot of good information and tips about safety. The most common and useful tips is just to never go anywhere you've never been before by yourself. Cape Town is pretty dangerous in terms of mugging, but you just have to be extra careful about your belongings and go out in groups at night.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I spent a lot of money because I saved up and wanted to buy a lot of souvenirs. But it wouldn't be difficult at all to pay just for extra meals that your family doesn't give you--food isn't too expensive in any of the countries we visited.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• Weekend trips to mountain villages in China
• Climbing Lion's Head in Cape Town.
• Making friends with students at the Chines University.

• Organization of India program.
• Travelling Faculty
• Course organization.

The Avid Adventurer