SIT Madagascar: the Best of Times, the Worst of Times, and entirely unforgettable. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Compared to the workload at Trinity, the work we had to do during this semester was much more manageable. We didn't have homework except in the beginning of the semester, and then the biggest papers we had to turn in were the Environmental Studies Project (mine ended up being about 20 pages), and the Independent Study Project (approximately 40 pages). The teaching methods were more of a briefing, before you were let out in the world.

On-site administration of your program

The weaknesses were the formal language and ecology training, which was inconsistent and sometimes contradictory to say the least. The strengths were the connections of the program directors and thus the number and variety of encounters, guest lecturers, and activities we were able to do. SIT professes to prefer to instruct students briefly in a particular subject, and then allow the students to learn the bulk of the subject themselves, or to learn as much as they want to, and this program was well-designed to give students enough opportunities, free-rein, and support to figure things out for themselves.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The first six weeks we lived with our homestay families, in houses. The second six weeks we were mostly on the road, our sleeping arrangements alternating between hotels (when we stayed in towns) and camping in tents (when we visited national parks). The final six weeks, during the independent study period, I slept in my tent in a village.

If you're vegetarian, by the end of the program you will be an omnivore. Don't come here if you can't eat rice and beans. The seafood here is the best I've ever had, so it would be unfortunate if you refuse to eat fish or shellfish. You'll never go hungry, but the timing of the meals is somewhat irregular.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The entire trip was a memorable cultural event and field trip! When you live in a place like Madagascar for 3.5 months, everyday is a new cultural encounter, everyday objects and activities all new and fascinating to see.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

If you're a girl, don't go walking about the streets at night alone. And you should really go with more than one friend. If you're a boy, its safer with a friend, but if you're big and imposing enough then you should have no problem. Some towns in the north have problems with gangs, and you shouldn't study some subjects like rosewood (mafia issues).

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

I practiced French with my peers, with my homestay family, and with my professors. Malagasy was a little more difficult, as the homestay family were less than dedicated teachers and the formal lessons with the professors were sparse. However I could have put more effort into learning the local language. As it was, just my vernacular French improved.

Select all that apply

• Hotel
• Host Family
• Other

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• the people (my peers, the academic and program directors, and the people we met)
• the freedom we were allowed in between the group activities
• the camping/hiking excursions, the six week period in which we were traveling all over the south

• language instruction
• information provided to students; we were often in the dark