Hold on to your hat, this is a rollercoaster ride Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not academically too rigorous, but the whole program was very rapid and culturally very new (at least for me), so the fact that it wasn't super rigorous academically might be a good thing.

On-site administration of your program

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Bittersweet. I would have loved to have had an apartment with some of the other students, but instead we lived in host family situations through most of the experience. This is good because it really allows you to see the culture but also can be very challenging because it gives you very little privacy.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I think the host family situation played a large role in the cultural integration. We also worked with Malagasy students on many projects.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have to use the health care while there, but I think it was good. Madagascar in general does not have the infrastructure to make one believe the health care will be top notch (real health emergancies will focus you to travel to Tana), but I think all health issues faced during my semester were able to be handled within the town we lived.

I felt safe during this trip, but I don't know if all the other students would have similar feelings. There were a few times students were vocal about undiscussed risks. I am probably more open to risk taking activities.

No regrets. I did this program knowing it would be way outside of my comfort zone, also because I didn't think I would find my way to a country as unique as Madagascar any other way. This program was very challenging in many, many ways, but by month 3, things were feeling way more comfortable (and I think that is really cool). The program is physically and mentally touch (although not academically challenging). There were a few hikes that were much more difficult than expected - although the views ultimately were worth it. There was very little communication during most moments, so be ready to not know what's going for about 75% of the time. You should be open and willing to go with the flow if you are considering this program. Also don't expect modern comforts (toilets, toilet paper, showers, clean water/food). Many people got sick, probably from the food or lack of sanitation. The French was not super rigorous and many did not feel that they grew in this area. I am mixed, I feel more confident in speaking than I did before I arrived. Month one, I had some major thoughts that I may be made the wrong chose, but in the end, I was super happy with everything and the experiences.

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

It was pretty easy to get by on a minimal budget week to week, but there were two unexpected plane tickets that were not covered by financial aid or the SIT budget. This put more pressure on me financially during my trip. Meals were mostly provided by the program and host families. There was also an independent study project (ISP) that was partially funded by SIT - partially meaning if your project fell within budget then you didn't have to spend any extra money, but most people fell outside of this budget. During this ISP daily costs were about $20 a day (hotel and food). Below question: average based on time, not during ISP.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The program had a lot of French components, but it also had a lot of English components. I would say class wise, it was about 50% - two of the four lessons were usually in French (one being a "French class" - class were we would discuss a reading which was in French and the discussion was in French also). Also, our group work with Malagasy students was usually conducted in French. Outside of class, many Malagasy people speak only Malagasy and French so it was used a fair amount outside of class.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Hotel

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans

• Experiencing about a new culture
• I liked the food, but my host father was a real good cook
• Exploring Madagascar, a very beautiful and unique country

• Communication!!
• Budget for ISP