This Program Strengthened My Passion About Water Issues! Past Review
By A student (Chemical Engineering, Florida State University) - abroad from 03/13/2016 to 03/21/2016 with
The GREEN Program: Peru - Water Resource Management & Sustainable Practices
Prior to my involvement with the GREEN program, I was consumed by the water drought occurring in California. The NASA data that reported alarmingly high rates of world aquifer depletion, as well as the effects of over-consumption, forced me to adopt a low-water footprint, vegan diet. Not only did I change physically, mentally, I started to become concerned about how countries were preparing for the future water crisis and what they were doing to address the 'access to clean water' initiative. When I heard about the GREEN program and its concentration on water resource management, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get my questions answered. This program did an amazing job at illustrating how Peru is managing its water by highlighting the environmental impacts of cost-efficient, but environmentally-damaging, development in Peru. We toured hydroelectric plants and wastewater treatment facilities; observed unregulated practices that threatened the ecosystem; and were exposed to social issues and mentalities that hinder the growth sustainable development in Peru. The knowledge I learned in Peru can easily be applied back home in America, as well as in other countries. I loved the fact that we were shown real-life problems and were encouraged to solve them through our capstone project. The GREEN Program inspired me to not only live as sustainably and ethically as possible, but to also dedicate my career to the problems surrounded by water (inaccessibility, scarcity, management, etc.). Due to my amazing experience, I definitely believe this program was worthwhile, and would love to participate in it again!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
During this program, you will spend time a few hours in a classroom with a passionate lecturer, Dr. Ortega, learning about the history of Peru; sustainable development; how to design a successful business model based around an environmental problem in Cusco; and your personality traits. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing accommodations were absolutely beautiful! Each location highlighted the diversity of Peru and allowed us to fully experience the culture, despite the time restraints of the program. |
| * Food: |
The food was absolutely amazing and vegan options are available if you're willing to negotiate ahead of time. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
After paying for the program, the only out-of-pocket cost is personal items for souvenirs or drinks. |
| 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? | If you're conscious about spending money, don't spend your money on souvenirs, drinks, or food! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had a stronger foundation in the topic of my capstone project so that I could have asked more questions and learned all the different ways it could be designed and implemented in a city. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
