Past Review

By (Nursing., SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY Binghamton: Juan Dolio - Community Health in Dominican Republic

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I would have loved to do this trip over again after I have gotten the NCLEX out of the way. The graduates would have been able to enjoy it more and appreciate more the breadth and depth of the cultural experience and knowledge that the instructor and community has to offer.

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.

Workload was relevant. Grading system was far. Teach method was great. Instructor was superber.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Faculty-led: the faculty has been going twice a year to the country for a decade or two. Knows the ins and outs and was able to tip us off on what to avoid and how to prepare.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Barcelo Capello Hotel <br /><br /> Hotel was decent. It was a resort so there was some nightlife entertainment available. Living situation didn't aid in language acquisition, but it did take some language learning to communicate with the staff (learned a word or two, nothing major)

* Food:

Breakfast was the same everyday. There was a set theme for different days of the week for dinner.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We looked at the cultural piece with some history and religion.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

We were caution and told to prepare.

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? I personally only spend 90 USD for 3 weeks for personal things, compare to my colleagues who spend far more on gifts.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Most things were covered. But if you want extra little things you have to use your own money. We were advise to have 300USD for personal spending.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

More medical spanish group session.

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Study your spanish to get the most of the cultural experience. Be prepared to do things or see things that our country would consider subpar or substandard and outrageous.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Global Health Issue in Dominican Republic

Course Department: DOM575
Instructor: Laura Kasey, Sue Simspon, Peg Pribulick
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Instructor was very knowledgeable. It was challenging, engaging, involved critical thinking and interactive. The instructor made us think critically and exposed us to different perspective.
Credit Transfer Issues: