Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

This answer cannot be reduced to a statement. Past Review

By (Anthropology., Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/29/2012 to 12/11/2012 with

SIT Study Abroad: Nepal - Tibetan and Himalayan Peoples

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained perspective on my privileged life, insight into one of the worlds most tragic conflicts (The Occupation of Tibet), friends that share my world view, exposure to the beauty and reality of rural Himalayan life. It was certainly worthwhile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The independent research project was very rigorous, but otherwise the academic aspect of the trip was enriching, but easily manageable.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Homestays are incredible experiences and opportunities for truly learning about the place you travel.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Nepali culture is varied and diverse. We were very integrated into the Tibetan communities and culture of Nepal.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have a personal problem, but all my friends who did were taken care of well, effectively, and cheaply.

* Safety:

The only problem was when we went to India, some women on the trip were violated. It's easily avoided by traveling in groups and staying close together.

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)

Nepal is quite cheap and easy to live on very little. The most expensive part is getting there, everything else is quite easy financially.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Maybe 1-5 dollars a week for the first few months (food was provided by families and program) and then the month in which I did my research (which was in India) probably $50 a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Around monuments or world heritage sites, food is more expensive. If you go to more rugged looking hole in the wall food places you can get food for very cheap. If you're commuting a lot buses are way cheaper than taxis, and for gifts/merchandise learn good haggling skills.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Level three Spanish (nothing to do with Nepal or India or Tibet)
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? After the trip you will know all the tenses and most grammatical structures. The key is just expanding your vocabulary. Learn a few new words of Tibetan a day, and you'll be able to speak pretty well.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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 Excursions (trek to Tsum Valley, trips to Namo Buddha and Sikkim)
  • It's value on personal growth in addition to academic growth
  • It's uncanny ability to connect so many different academic disciplines, issues, etc. to our personal, political, and philosophical lives
* What could be improved?
  • I suppose part of its advantage and disadvantage was its lack of structure.
  • They could have had more required reading. The readings they gave were great, but I would have liked more of them
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that trains in India were unreliable, and that I should have taken a plane and bus to where I wanted to go. Instead, I waited 17 hours in a train station.

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.