Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Eye-opening, chaotic, life-changing, fun! / IHP Social Entre Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/14/2016 to 12/03/2016 with

SIT Study Abroad: Reviews from Former Locations

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to be open minded when meeting and interacting with people who are very different from me. I learned about social enterprises and am inspired to continue in this field. I gained so much knowledge on different countries and cultures and lifestyles, as well as a set of new skills.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Many essays and projects. Expect the academic rigor to be equivalent to your home institution.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff is dedicated and outstanding.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our homestay families provided excellent insight into the local culture and society.

* Food:

We tried lots of new foods in each country.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We spent too much time among our group and not enough time with local people.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We received excellent medical care in each place we were in.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in any way.

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

IHP Social Entrepreneurship challenged my perspectives on everything I thought I knew, which was life changing. I would do it again if only I could!

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)

India and Uganda are much less expensive than Brazil and US, though I found most things affordable in all places we visited. It's easy to live on a students' budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Under $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring half of what you think you'll need, and twice as much money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • We visited over 50 organizations and social enterprises.
  • Learned so much
  • New friends
* What could be improved?
  • If you want to make friends with locals, you will need to go out of your way.
  • I would have learned more about Brazil if my Brazilian host parents spoke English to me.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That we will spend the majority of time in our group, and the needs of the group will be the focal point of the program at times instead of the local colitis. Better make friends with people early on!