Great for wildlife management, not for cultural learning. Past Review
By Andrew G (Guilford College) - abroad from 09/03/2011 to 12/10/2011 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies
It was definitely worthwhile. I gained a greater understanding of the world, an increased perspective on issues, and a greater confidence in myself.
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. |
Academics were great, though I didn't have as many resources during the directed research as I would have like (not as many resources were given to Environmental Policy). Great experiential learning. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Generally good, dealt with most situations adequately. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Good housing, especially given the circumstances. |
| * Food: |
Food was good and interesting, although a few times I questioned the sanitation. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't feel very integrated with the culture. I felt isolated in a camp, with few chances to get out, and even then it is as a large group of Americans. Only two homestays, which were amazing but there could have been more. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was generally great, except for one incident that handled completely inappropriately. |
| 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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't drink, you'll save a ton of money. Learn how to barter! Some things that they'll try to sell you for $80 you can get through barter/other sellers for $10 or less. |
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 |
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| 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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Make sure to talk as much as you can in Swahili, otherwise you will not learn it. It depends on which teacher you get (the teacher for the other group was much better, and the other group could speak much better Swahili). |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I knew that I would have to take things into my own hands at times |
