Rushed and not worth the $14500. Past Review
By A student (Communication and Society, Washington State University) - abroad from 01/13/2016 to 05/13/2016 with
Study Abroad Programs in Thailand
I learned a lot from Adams class. I enjoyed all of the subjects and learned a lot about the Thai and Cambodian art, history, politics, and culture. I learned a good amount and it would be worthwhile if it was half the price.
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. |
The courses were good and literally jam packed with information, sometimes a little too much. |
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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 liked living in unlit although it was frustrating that it was an all girls dorm. I wanted my dad to be able to come in side to see my apartment but he wasn't allowed. I love my host family in Phnom Penh but because it is the middle of the hot season I really need air conditioning. I don't sleep very well because I only have a fan and I don't have a window to outside. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I was told that this program was taught on experiences, yet I spent most of my time studying in my bedroom or in class. I barely had time for service learning because of the work load in my classes, and I was taking the minimum amount. The excursions could have been interesting yet they were extremely boring most of the time. A study abroad program should be more about exploring and immersing yourself into the culture and not spent stressing about the immense work load. |
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) |
$100 a week is a good amount but I wish the program would have given us more money for food and transportation. I feel like our money was being pocketed a lot of the time. Like if I am allowed $15 when we go out for a meal, I should be GIVEN the $15. Every time the leftover of what we didn't spend was not returned to us. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | In thailand $50. In Phnom Penh $100 |
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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School Spanish 2nd year |
| 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 to locals even when they laugh at you |
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? | I now know that I could have done volunteer work in any other cheaper program instead of paying so much extra for it. I was given the idea that the volunteer work was already set up, yet when I got there I was told to pretty much figure it out on my own. |
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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
374 |
| Course Department: | Sociology |
| Instructor: | Mike Moran |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This class was all online and it was very rarely in line with what I was doing in the program. The teacher very rarely answered when I submitted my papers and it usually took weeks to get a response. I never received any grades on my papers. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
