Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Experiencing a world upside down from my usual one Past Review

By (Economics., Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/21/2014 to 12/05/2014 with

SIT Study Abroad: Samoa - Social and Environmental Change in Oceania

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and what I can achieve. It was very worthwhile. Moreover, for the first time I realized the consequences of our first world decisions.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We were forced to buy our own food so that we could get some vegetables and diversity

* Food:

Forced to pay for campus meal plan even though we never ate there.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Stock up at the grocery store instead of eating out at 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

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? Intermediate
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? Go out and immerse yourself in the culture. Some of the bars and restaurants are filled with Samoans who can speak both Samoan and English perfectly. This allows you to experiment with the language and practice dialogue while knowing that the person can also help you with words you may not know. Furthermore it is important to know that they really appreciate you taking the effort to learn their language, so don't be embarrassed.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Island
  • People
  • Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Food
  • Less Lectures
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How neglected so many parts of our world are

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Samoan
Course Department: Language
Instructor: Jackie
Instruction Language: Samoan/ English
Comments: Necessary class that enabled me to fully immerse myself in the culture. Learned the vocabulary I needed to communicate with locals on everyday tasks
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

RME
Course Department:
Instructor: Jackie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Many assignments were tedious tasks but the excursions were very insightful and worthwhile
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Societies in Transition

Course Department:
Instructor: Jackie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Reading's were interesting and paper's were on relevant topics. Lots of discussion
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Globalization and Contemporary Issues
Course Department:
Instructor: Jackie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting and stimulating assignments. Wish there would have been more excursion time and less in class room, as many lectures were extremely repetitive.
Credit Transfer Issues: