Traveling across Cambodia for classroom interactions - HOT Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/27/2018 to 12/05/2018 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Cambodia – Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies
I learned that it is important to advocate for yourself and your needs, especially in regards to your mental and physical health. It was worthwhile, but I would not do it again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program included A LOT of class time. However, the classes them self were not that difficult or near the level of classes that I have taken at Wellesley. There was less work outside of class which may have been due to the fact that so much time was spent in class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program is a US based program and the staff/administration in Cambodia are in close communtiation with those in the US. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The center were we were living was quite nice. There were shared rooms, 3-4 students per room and common spaces including a pool. |
| * Food: |
YUM! Food in Cambodia is DELICIOUS! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We did a few things with the local university and one thing with some students in Vietnam but for the most part we did not have a lot of interactions 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? |
No
I would choose a program that involves more field time and is in a more remote location. |
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) |
If you wanted, you could spend less than $10 a week because food was provided by the program for most meals. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $70 |
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 learned the local language when we arrived in Cambodia and were encouraged to use it as often as we could. |
| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | The program involves a lot of class work and is not as mentally stimulating as Wellesley. However, the research at the end of the program is amazing and incredibly intellectually challenging. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
