Memorable Past Review
By Symone W (Urban Studies/Affairs., Barnard College) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
SIT Study Abroad: IHP Health and Community - Globalization, Culture and Care
I gained a group of amazing friends, and met some great people throughout the world. It was more than worthwhile, I wish I could do it all over again almost everyday .
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration in India was horrible. However, in South Africa and New Orleans the host country program coordinators were incredible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was never uncomfortable, nor did I have bad experiences with any of my numerous host families. |
| * Food: |
This is very dependent on your host family. I had a very positive experience, while some of my peers did not. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This depended on the country/ culture in India we were very sheltered but I still feel like I had an authentic experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Overall this was good except we stayed in an area that had HIGH rates of TB which worried me. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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 was very dependent on the country, but overall it was easy to live on a student budget |
| * 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? | We had to buy our own lunch/ snacks so about 5 or less dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy most of your gifts in the least expensive location ie: India, and pack lunch somedays |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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 |
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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? | That I would need to be extremely flexible, and to buy all of my gifts in the least expensive country ie: India. Also to do frequent flier miles!!! |
