Would choose to do it again without a doubt. Past Review

By (Environmental Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/27/2018 to 12/05/2018 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?
To name a few: * practices in navigating through multicultural environments * friendships * resilience * understanding the complexities of environmental problems in Cambodia through field research * field research techniques, data management and analysis * self-understanding * Khmer culture and ways of life Definitely worthwhile.

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.

While I did spend most of my free time working/studying, the academic rigor wasn't as intense as that at my home school. Each course has a final exam, which involved some memorization and was writing-intensive.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Dorm style living in spacious rooms.

* Food:

The food at SFS Center in Siem Reap is amazing. I eat a plant-based diet, and there was always plenty of yummy options at the center. I never had any complaints about the food during the entire semester, even when we were traveling.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was some but not consistent or long-term social and cultural integration because the program is a residential program where we were with the same cohort all the time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

For safety purposes, the program had a buddy-system by which students must go out with a buddy during the first two weeks of the program. For the entirety of the program, buddy-system was in place after dark as well as when we were traveling and not at the center in Siem Reap.

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)

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • All of the trips complemented our studies very well, which is an essential component of an SFS experience.
* What could be improved?
  • Scheduling - I often felt that I didn't have time to process my experiences.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I didn't need to stress too much about everything...

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 Linguist
You 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!