My Favorite Place in the World Past Review

By (Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering., Cornell University) - abroad from 01/30/2012 to 05/06/2013 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about the culture, people, wildlife, and natural resources in East Africa and I fell in love with every single part of Kenya and Tanzania. This was the best experience I've had in my life. It was absolutely worthwhile and the best decision I ever made!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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)

* 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? $20

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? No Swahili courses
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • Wildlife and Natural Beauty
  • Kenyan and Tanzanian People and Culture
  • FIELD RESEARCH!!
* What could be improved?
  • more cultural immersion
  • more Swahili practice
  • longer program - it went by so quickly!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I needed way less stuff than I thought I did.