Determination Abroad Past Review
By A student (Psychology and Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/05/2012 to 05/18/2012 with
SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization
I gained the experience to be the person I am today.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although the staff in at the SIT Peru location were very friendly and competent, the lecturers and lectures felt like a superficial overview of each topic regarding the theme of the program. It could have focused on selected themes and ventured into those more deeply. The intensity of the program came primarily from my experience living and traveling in different parts of Peru and cultural adjustment, not the academics. The one "intense" part of the program would come from the Spanish language focus. All lectures and classes were in Spanish as well as the home stay experience. From that, my confidence in Spanish improved dramatically. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was fantastic in Peru. Very friendly, intelligent, and interested in the students. They helped facilitate an easy transition into and out of Peru and were a helpful and supportive resource throughout the program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our program assigns students to a homestay family. My homestay family experience was great. The family was engaging and friendly. I felt included in all activities and felt it was an influential cultural experience |
| * Food: |
Food was delicious. It would be difficult to be a vegetarian, although it appeared most host families were accommodating. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because many students from the program were from universities in the US, I did spend time with them, but I felt integrated primarily through my host family. Spending time with my host family was a great way to experience the culture and daily life of a person in Cusco. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health related issues. |
| * Safety: |
I felt my host city was very safe, but like any other city, the normal precautions must be followed. |
| 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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| * 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? | $10 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Money goes faster than you would expect! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Speak the language and spend time with the locals as much as possible! |
