Academically, Culturally, and Socially Intense and Beneficial - SIT Study Abroad: Uganda - Post-Conflict Transformation Past Review
By A student (Politics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/30/2014 to 12/06/2014 with
SIT Study Abroad: Reviews from Former Locations
Excellent research experience, exposure to serious issues, and cultural immersion. Definitely worthwhile but not easy.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
packed a lot of material and substance in a limited amount of time. Fantastic course lecturers. |
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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? |
The Academic Director did a good job helping us to assimilate and navigate challenges. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
healthcare was easily accessible |
| * Safety: |
Program administrators were very concerned with safety |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $400 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid places serving western food, don't be afraid to eat local for much cheaper |
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? | none |
| 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? | Acholi is not widely spoken outside of Northern Uganda, therefore it's hard to study until you're there. Once you're there everyone is happy to speak Acholi with you and it highly impacts how you're treated. |
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? | This is an emotionally trying program. Prepare coping mechanisms in advance and reconsider going if you're unsure of your personal mental resiliency. I'm glad I went and didn't struggle so much, but witnessed others' trouble digesting the sobering material. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
