Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Immersive Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 12/08/2019 with

SIT Study Abroad Uganda: Global Development Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live and learn in the most difficult circumstances in the world

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.

The program was challenging on immersion but was not challenging academically

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Absolutely great!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The living conditions and home stays were often hard but giving the circumstances very good

* Food:

Uganda's food is very relative to their country and hard to achieve nutrition from

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was forced to be very deep in Ugandan culture

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was often sick and the program was very helpful, the health care there in of itself is just very hard

* Safety:

It is often hard to feel safe in Kampala, but nothing bad ever happened to me

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

At the point I am at in my academic career, this program was the best option for me. It was hard and not the best academically at times, but it was the best option for me when I was deciding where to go

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)

Very easy to live on any budget

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Less than $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You really dont spend alot

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 100 level
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? Speak it out of class as much as possible

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Immersion
  • Exploration
  • Field Study
* What could be improved?
  • Lecturers
  • Progressive Course Content
  • Organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Coming back from abroad is equally as hard as being abroad

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Research Methods and Ethics
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was not very informative and left me unprepared to do work in the field. It did teach good ethics though
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not seen these credits transfer yet
Course Name/Rating:

Lugana Language Study
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Luganda
Comments: This class was not very challenging or immersive. It only taught the necessities of the language
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not seen these credits transfer yet
Course Name/Rating:

Independent Study Project
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This part of the program was incredibly challenging, immersive, and provided great field experience
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not seen these credits transfer yet
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Global Development

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was not challenging and often had speakers who did not challenge academic thought on development trends across the world
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not seen these credits transfer yet
Course Name/Rating:

Human and Community Development
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course had great field trips, but the guest lecturers, exams, and other means of grading were not difficult and did not challenge inquiry
Credit Transfer Issues: