Vietnam and Cambodia: Life lessons in Socialism Past Review
By Teresa L (Anthropology., Wellesley College) for
Study Abroad Programs in Vietnam
It's an amazing experience, I grew a lot as a person and realized how happy socialism can make people. This program is great because you travel a lot and you're exposed to many different Southeast Asian cultures, which you cannot get everywhere.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned a great deal but the classes lacked discussion. I enjoyed the field trips we had in our sustainable development class. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Vietnamese coordinators were extremely helpful and thoughtful, but the American director was often unavailable and unhelpful. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
I never got sick from food in Vietnam and we always ate street food! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It's easy to travel and go out in both places. I always felt safe. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
In Cambodia all of the Americans got sick, two hospitalized. The conditions are different than Vietnam and people need to remember it's not as clean. |
| 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | none. I did a lot of shopping. Cambodia's airport has a $25 exit tax. You can also open up a local acct in Vietnam at ANZ bank free of charge! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
We had language partners, but learning the language was more of your own initiative. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It's an amazing experience, I grew a lot as a person and realized how happy socialism can make people. This program is great because you travel a lot and you're exposed to many different Southeast Asian cultures, which you cannot get everywhere. |
