Each One Reaches One in the Philippines at Wesleyan Church Past Review

By (Social Work, Indiana Wesleyan University) for

Study Abroad Programs in the Philippines

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience was beneficial because I made it beneficial. I pushed myself to stretch out of my comfort zone and gained. I invested myself in the ministry and experience, allowing nationals to work with me, to gain self-awareness and cultural knowledge and sensitivity.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The teaching methods of my sending school were poor. It was a self-paced program which provided little motivation to meet expectations and develop knowledge and understanding of the culture I would be studying in.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The strength was that the professor was very knowledgable and traveled overseas with me for the first portion of my internship. The weakness is that it was self-paced and an independent study so there was no one to keep me accountable. There was also no follow up or time of debriefing to work through my experiences.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The host family treated me as a guest but I would have liked to have transitioned more into a family member role so that I had my own responsibilities. I felt as if I was taking advantage of them because they always worked to serve and entertain me. I wanted to give back to them through service, but they never offered me an opportunity. They put me in a gated community and in my own apartment off of the house, which gave me the necessary privacy for myself and studying time.

* Food:

It is important to be culturally sensitive and try new foods that are offered. You need to be appropriately polite and compliment the food you like, as well as being sensitive to how you talk about food you don't like. It should be described as "interesting" never "gross" or "bad". However, it is also imperative to take care of your health and maintain diet restrictions. If you get sick you will be ineffective on the field and unable to participate in the learning experience. You should have meds and take healthy snacks (dry fruit and protein supplements).

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Visiting the local universities and campuses that have my program of study. visiting different social service organizations that had my programs similiar to my interests. Exposure is vital. Social events, such as theme parks, nature reserves, malls, and youth centers are important and fun places to interact and learn the culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Students should never travel alone, even if the nationals think it is safe and appropriate to do so. Students need to have a cell phone and contact information for multiple individuals. They need to familiarize themself with the area and know where to go and what to do in case of emergency.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Language

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A self-motivated, focused student interested in learning as much about themself as the culture they are working in would be a good fit for this independent study program

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Cultural Anthropology

Course Department: INT-315
Instructor: Steve Pettis
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Materials were very informative
Credit Transfer Issues: Stay on top of the issues and push to make sure that you get the credit and grade you deserve. There needs to be constant communication between the host and sending agency.