Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A trip of a lifetime Past Review

By (Animal Science/Pre-Vet Medicine, University of Tennessee - Knoxville) - abroad from 06/11/2012 to 07/10/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was completely worth while, I loved every minute of the trip. I learned not only class material but things about myself and the people of Tanzania.

Review Photos

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were very interesting and focused on my areas of interest. A great deal of them were outside of the "typical classroom" setting so it made the information more applicable, therefore easier to learn in my case.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I never felt that there was any cause for concern and there was always something to do. I loved the staff they were constantly involved in our learning and involvement in the community.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was really impressed with the accommodations. They were a lot more than I expected. The heat for the showers was a little unreliable sometimes but totally manageable.

* Food:

There was always something that you could eat. They make sure to have a good mix of American foods and Tanzanian local cuisine. The cook staff was always wanting suggestions and going out of their way to accommodate us,

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I always felt involved in the community and they were very open to our presence in their hometown. We had many opportunities, through class and during non-program days, to give back to the community and learn about it.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

If there was ever a problem, there was a clinic that was a short drive down the road. They were very helpful.

* Safety:

I never felt like I was in any danger. We were very well prepared for the situations we faced both with people and animals. There were guards stationed at the front gates 24/7. As long as you followed the basic rules there was no cause for concern.

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)

The amount of money we needed was not substantial at all but it completely depended on each individual student. Mostly we spent money on souvenirs.

* 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? $25-$50/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't bring money out unless you plan on spending it. Plan to spend how much you bring out. It may not happen but there are always things to buy that you will not find in the US.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The people/involvement of the community/learning about the community (language, culture, etc)
  • The broad areas of study/the movement around Tanzania
  • The application of our learning to our surroundings
* What could be improved?
  • Showers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how much I was going to enjoy myself so that I could have gone for a semester rather than for just 4 weeks.

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 Adventurer
The 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.