Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An eye opening adventure Past Review

By (Ecology, Evolution Biology, Trinity University) - abroad from 08/10/2017 to 12/10/2017 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Cambodia – Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about a part of the world that many people have never even heard of. Most importantly I learned a lot about people; indigenous, locals, students.

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:

Amok is the best!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Theres only so much you can do in Cambodia

* Safety:

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

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)

Everything there is cheap

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a budget for yourself and pick things you want to spend a lot of money on for souvenirs before hand

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 1 year of spanish in college, but this was a different language I was learning
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? practice with locals

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Interviewing locals
  • seeing wildlife
* What could be improved?
  • nothing its great
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much I was going to miss it when I came back to the states.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'