Greatest Experience of my life Past Review
By Geronimo Carlo R (University of Southern California) - abroad from 06/19/2013 to 08/14/2013 with
Study Abroad Programs in Kenya
It was extremely worthwhile. 2 months in rural Kenya and I could never see the world the same way ever again, in a good way.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
One of, if not, the most valuable educational experiences I've ever had. Changed my perspective, lifestyle, and habits. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had an amazing host family. I was lucky to have 2 host mothers - double the love. 14 children and I wouldn't have had it any other way. |
| * Food: |
Food was just enough to get you through the day. Variety is lacking and is mostly of a vegetarian diet. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Depending on how much effort you put in and how many new things you're willing to try, you can get pretty integrated into the culture. I wanted a complete immersion and found myself conversational in the local language. Also, I learned so much about the culture and history of Kenya by just choosing to hang out with the locals 24/7 |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Constantly checked up on about my health and how I'm feeling. Only caveat is that you can't exactly go to the hospital if you have to immediately. Only for urgent emergencies. |
| * Safety: |
Extremely safe, just don't wander around at night, that's when the snakes come out. |
| 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) |
$1 to 85 Kenyan shillings with the average soda costing 50 shillings, do the math |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $3 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring $250 for gifts/souvenirs and just in case for medical emergencies |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | always have a pen and paper ready to learn new things to say |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That I would be living/working with kindest people I have ever met in my entire life. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
