Learning to live in Bamako, Mali Past Review

By A student (Environmental Studies., Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/28/2012 to 04/05/2012 with

Study Abroad Programs in Mali

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned how to live in a culture completely different from my own and outside of my comfort zone. I made connections and created relationships with my host family. I improved my French language skills. I learned how to really appreciate another culture and society.

Review Photos

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.	I learned the most through experience. I was exposed to a lot of new things and had the opportunity to talk to some really interesting people. The courses were lecture based, long, and not very engaging.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	There was a military coup while I was abroad, and the administration was not always very good at clearly communicating to us what was going on.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived with a homestay family, which was one of the best parts of my experience.
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I got typhoid fever a couple of times, and the program directors took me to a local clinic. I got many vaccines before attending this program.
* Safety:	At this point, the country is extremely unstable. While I was there, I found traffic accidents to be of the great safety concern.
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?	less than $40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	The US dollar was very strong in Mali--everything was much cheaper than it is here.

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?	Intermediate
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?	French 230
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?	Have conversations with members of your homestay family as often as possible.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* 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?	Living with a homestay family Shadowing doctors at clinics Studying with students of similar interests
* What could be improved?	Class organization/engagement Communication of directors with students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	To have as few expectations and preconceptions as possible going into the experience.

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:	Health and Health Care in Mali
Course Department:
Instructor:	Modibo Coulibaly and visiting lecturers
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	The lectures were long and not very engaging. We went on many field trips which were interesting. We were assessed with papers, presentations, and a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No