BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/05/2018 to 05/19/2018 with

SIT Study Abroad: Rwanda - Post-Genocide Restoration and Peacebuilding

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
So much knowledge, exposure, a greater understanding of the world and politics and humanity, and a generally wonderful time with amazing people.

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.

I learned more academically than any other semester of my education.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were so helpful, brilliant and kind!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Host family was an educational experience and living my friends from the abroad program was so much fun.

* Food:

Host family's cooking was delicious and the food in Kigali is pretty good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was a foreigner but everyone was so welcoming and kind and I made many great friends from the local community.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have many health issues but help was very readily available.

* Safety:

Kigali's the safest place I have ever lived in or visited!

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

I loved it so much, although I would also do SIT abroad in other locations because it's such a great program.

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)

Kigali was mostly cheap but while I was socializing and trying to take advantage of my time there, I wound up spending a fair amount on entertainment, food and drinks. Finances completely depend on your personal preferences and lifestyle.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $90
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy drinks and food from grocery stores instead of restaurants.

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

Very encouraged.

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 in Kinyarwanda.
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? Try to learn on your own!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • 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?
  • Academics
  • Excursions
  • Cheap food and drink
* What could be improved?
  • NA
  • NA
  • NA
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about Rwanda.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.