SIT Uganda: Development Studies Review Past Review
By Talar K (Peace & Justice Studies, Wellesley College) for
SIT Study Abroad Uganda: Global Development Studies
I learned what its like to live in the developing world and about development in the most experiential way. I also gained an understanding of how to do research in this field.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We had 2 individual papers (2 - 4 pages and 8 - 10 pages) and one group paper (20 pages) as well as daily homework for our language class. All assignments were graded by our academic director. Lectures were taught by various local professors and professionals. We had 2 lectures a day, as well as some site visits, and 2 weeks of an in-depth study on an aspect of development (4 choices). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Strengths: staff was very accessible and friendly, good amount of independence given on the program to students, knowledge about host country, program size Weaknesses: resources available to students (internet, books) |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The program arranged housing for us. My neighborhood was safe, but I was advised not to walk home alone after 7 pm (sunset). I was 10 minutes away from class by public taxi. I needed to buy my own mosquito net, and to bring my own towels and toiletries. I was treated like a family member. |
| * Food: |
There is definitely less variety than in America. Food is typically rice, beans, and potatoes. There are some American eateries in Kampala. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Trips to Eastern and Western Uganda and Rwanda; village homestays |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I would recommend going to The Surgery clinic. I would also suggest specifically asking what you have and what you are being treated for and with what medication and getting a record of this. SIT provides health insurance, and you can be reimbursed upon return to the US as long as you have receipts. I had to get vaccines for Yellow Fever, and get updated on all my old vaccines, and take Doxicycline daily as an anti-malarial. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $20 - 30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring large bills like 50s or 100s to exchange into local currency because they get a better rate than smaller; you can bring an ATM card (like Visa) and take out money at ATMs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | No college-level courses taken in the language of my host country prior to departure |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Homestay family, some locals, teachers. Most people spoke English, but using the host country language was beneficial because it allowed locals to know we were interested in being immersed and showed them respect when asking for directions, help, or interviews. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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