Quite a time July 12, 2021
By Aidan (Rhodes College) - abroad from 02/08/2021 to 05/19/2021 with
SIT Study Abroad: Nepal - Tibetan and Himalayan Peoples
Yes. See review!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I spent ten weeks in Nepal with SIT, during a short window of time wherein travel to the country was possible. In the face of many Covid precautions, program staff and only a few other students collaborated to make the semester as meaningful as I could possibly hope it to be. We trekked through forests and deserts to a small town at the feet of the Annapurna mountains, learned about community forestry in the midst of elephants and crocodiles, and in Kathmandu, became friends while hanging out on the rooftop of our hotel which replaced the typical homestay experience. The program staff were exceptionally well connected and experienced, allowing students to complete independent study projects, but when imminent lockdowns were announced, action was quick and efficient. Truly, I have too many memories to recount, and many lessons learned. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
SIT adequately educated students on the relatively minor safety risks of Kathmandu. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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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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| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate Latin |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | Life will never stop bothering you with what you need. |
