Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Zanzibar: take me back! Past Review

By (Environmental Studies, Health: Science, Society, and Policy, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/24/2013 to 12/06/2013 with

SIT Study Abroad: Tanzania - Zanzibar Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I don't think I can even begin to summarize what I learned in this little box. It was more than worthwhile and I don't think I could've picked a better place to go to truly experience living abroad.

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

This is due ONLY to the interim program director. He was unhelpful, unproductive, an obstacle to learning, and not an efficient leader. However, the program assistant, (who is a permanent position regardless of program director) and the rest of the team helped all of the students in immeasurable ways to both adjust and fit in smoothly to Zanzibar.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Home stays are scary going into them, but they're great life experiences!!!

* Food:

Hope you like seafood! :)

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Felt like my home by the end of four months; in fact, I still refer to it as home.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Respect is paramount in Zanzibar. If you are respectful of the host culture and religion, you will rarely encounter problems. Keep a sound and alert head on your shoulders and nothing will go wrong.

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? Not much - if you make a concerted effort you can spend zero of your own money (not including souvenirs, etc.). I think I spent about $200?
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find the side-of-the-road stands for lunch! Be careful with the food choices, but that's generally where you find the cheapest food and how you can save program money for other expenses.

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

We used Swahili all the time!

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 Italian. Utterly useless in Zanzibar.
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Being there is the best practice. You're forced to use it and everybody you meet wants to help teach you.

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
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The Swahili component
  • The new culture
  • The food!
* What could be improved?
  • Program director
  • Orientation materials
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Go with the flow; don't expect everything to run like it does in the States. Things get messed up, people run late, sometimes it rains so hard that you can't leave your house. Things happen!

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.