Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/26/2012 to 05/09/2012 with

SIT Study Abroad: Tanzania - Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Probably more about the real world than I would ever actually learn through my middlebury 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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? dunno
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? dont spend money

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Begining
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? Talk to people

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
  • Other
* 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?
  • It was something completely different
  • I had an experience that I will remember for my entire life
  • I got to see the world
* What could be improved?
  • Not filling out pointless surveys after I finish it
  • Middlebury's ability to support me while abroad and understand that I am in a damn country that doesn't have constant internet access
  • The ability for me to just have an experience that Middlebury doesn't have to micromanage and decide whether it is up to "middlebury standards" or not
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, don't go with expectations, and you will leave with only experiences