Unique experience studying enviro in a Buddhist eco-friendly country Past Review
By A student (Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/27/2018 to 12/05/2018 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Bhutan - Bhutan - Himalayan Studies
I learned about Buddhism, GNH, environmental governance, Bhutanese culture, elevational zonation, mountain ecology, and political dimensions of the environment. Definitely worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Professors are extremely qualified and kind, but classes are too easy. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Bhutan is an amazing country, and hiking is a great way to see it! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The room was big enough, but smelled like a sewer. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing! If you like spicy food, you will love the food in Bhutan, especially their national dish, chilies and cheese! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were not integrated much with the local people because we lived with all Americans and did not have too many options to go out into the town at night. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We had several staff members certified in first aid, CPR, and wilderness first aid. |
| * Safety: |
Bhutan is a very, very safe country. When I was there, there was absolutely no crime! Women can walk around late at night comfortably. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It is worth it to see a country that many people will never see in their lifetimes, due to the strict tourism and immigration laws. |
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) |
You can eat a whole meal for less than 2 USD! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $10 a week including occasional dinners on the town and taxi fee |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Anything you've saved, odds are it will probably be enough if you're living simply in Bhutan. I would recommend $400 for the 3-4 month program if you would like to occasionally eat out and buy a few souvenirs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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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 |
We stay in a home stay twice or thrice throughout the semester. That is where your Dzongkha comes in handy! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | You will have very limited alone time! A lot of your time will be spent in teams with others. |
