Invaluable Experiences; Enduring Friendships Past Review

By (SUNY - Stony Brook) - abroad from 09/12/2014 to 11/21/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Looking back on my time at TBI, I have nothing but positive things to say about it. Even four years later I still remember it vividly, the starkly beautiful landscape, the constant opportunities to learn, and the camaraderie that only comes from spending a lot of time with an exclusive group of people. I am still close with friends I made at TBI, and also still have good relationships with my professors. The courses modules we had - ecology, geology, vertebrate paleontology, human evolution, and archaeology - were incredibly thorough, incredibly enhanced by the setting. The divide between learning and doing was removed, as we learned about geology by walking around and studying natural formations and studied human evolution by going to the sites where discoveries were still being made. Before I went to TBI I was unsure of where my interests lay, but upon returning I happily changed my major to anthropology (with a focus in archaeology) and never regretted it. My semester at TBI was one of the best of my entire college career, and I hope that the program continues to grow and provide students with the experience of a lifetime.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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

Great program!

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? None
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Apply for any scholarships you can find!

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?
  • Location
  • Education
  • Camaraderie
* What could be improved?
  • Not sure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That 10 weeks feels so short

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.