An experience that exceeded all my dreams Past Review

By (Bucknell University) - abroad from 08/23/2015 to 12/05/2015 with

SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I have become a more confident, kind, and accepting person. Every second was worth it, I would not change any part of my experience.

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 access to and network of academia was endless

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Administration got to know every student on a personal level and provided endless support and encouragement

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was incredible, I have made friends for a life time

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The cultural immersion is amazing, there is so much you learn from living in the Peruvian culture

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Really great access and coverage

* Safety:

You must always be aware of your surroundings as is with and place of travel, but over all I felt really safe

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Every moment of my experience, even the challenging times, taught me so much about who I am and what I value in life.

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)

The only time I needed to spend my personal money was to buy gifts and do any extra traveling on my own, otherwise everything including food was covered!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save your money for weekend trips and any traveling you want to do after the program.

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

I was constantly speaking Spanish!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? The highest level my university offers
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Take a class, listen to music, watch a movie all in the foreign language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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 cultural immersion
  • Experiential learning
  • Traveling within the country
* What could be improved?
  • None
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? None

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'