DO IT YOUR WAY! Past Review

By A student (molecular biology biochemistry, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/11/2014 to 05/04/2014 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?

Absolutely worthwhile; I learned so much about myself, the places I was, and the subject matter of the program - however, this was largely due to my own personal drive/choices and the amazing students I was surrounded by rather than program-specific classroom time.

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.	This is a rating of OVERALL experience, not just in-classroom experience.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	More specifically: India: 5 stars Argentina: 2.5 stars South Africa: 4.5 stars
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Homestays were a huge part of learning about 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)	Very easy for India and South Africa. Argentina was much more expensive.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Program Average ~$30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Spend your money on travelling rather than food!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family Hostel
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	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?	The people The places My host families!
* What could be improved?	The administration/bureaucracy needs to be more transparent. FREEDOM. Students have very limited freedom on the program. Students should be encouraged to travel on their own more - some of my best experiences on the program resulted from weekend trips I took on my own/with friends.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That it would be summer in Argentina. Man, I should have brought shorts.

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 Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Globalization and Health
Course Department:
Instructor:	Dr. Maya Shapiro
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Community Health Research Methods
Course Department:
Instructor:	Dr. Maya Shapiro
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Public Health: Biology to Policy
Course Department:
Instructor:	Donald Allison
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Health, Culture, and Community
Course Department:
Instructor:	Donald Allison
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: