Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best 3 Months of My Life Thus Far Past Review

By (SUNY - Stony Brook) - abroad from 09/06/2016 to 11/21/2016 with

SUNY Stony Brook: Kenya - Field School in the Turkana Basin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I went on this program with a lot of uncertainty regarding what I would want to do with the rest of my life; I came out of this problem with things that I was now passionate about and are informing the choices I'm making regarding my future. I pushed myself to do new things and I've returned with both a confidence in my current abilities and a desire to improve, a deeper understanding of my place in the world, and a new perspective that helps me look at things differently.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Choosing to go to the Turkana Basin institute has definitely been the best decision I have made and were 3 of the most fun months I've ever had getting to test my skills, abilities to learn, and getting to know other people and make meaningful friends.

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 much money needed at all with the exception of some spending money for souvenirs at the beginning or end of the program or for buying soda during the program. We also brought about 50 dollars to pay the locally hired staff a tip.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I would typically spend 2 to 4 dollars on soda a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You won't need much money to begin with apart from money to buy souvenirs and to tip the facility staff.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The hands on learning opportunity
  • The chance to work with some of the world's leading professionals in their fields
  • Getting a chance to do something that I would never otherwise get the chance to do again
* What could be improved?
  • Time spent interacting with locals
  • More opportunities to go camping in the field
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I was nervous going into this program and I wish I had known that I was going to love it and that I wouldn't have to worry about it. I also wish I knew to invest in a really good water bottle to keep my water cold.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.