Unforgettable Past Review
By beccabdavies (Wildlife Ecology, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 02/01/2015 to 05/11/2015 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Tanzania - Wildlife Management Studies
This program is absolutely worthwhile! I loved the classes, the staff and professors, living in Rhotia, and I think I learned more in this semester than I did in any other semester at school. Not only was it an amazing cultural experience, but I gained so many field and writing skills through this program that I know are going to help me in the future.
Review Photos
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. |
The academics weren't more rigorous than my home school, but I think I gained more knowledge and experience through the classes than I do in a regular class at home. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of the staff, professors, and administrators were absolutely amazing. Living along with all of them really offered an amazing experience. In fact, one of my favorite and most memorable parts of the program was the staff. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Moyo Hill was absolutely amazing. Living in rural Tanzania I was expecting much worse. The facilities were all amazing and very comfortable. |
| * Food: |
All of the food that was prepared for us was delicious. They did a really great job at combining traditional Tanzanian foods with more Western foods for us. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I really loved living in Rhotia and felt like a member of the community, but at the same time I did feel separated by the language barrier and didn't feel like I learned enough in class. I did learn a lot about traditional Tanzanian cultures though. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The FAME clinic in Karatu was absolutely amazing. All of the doctors and nurses spoke excellent English and the facilities were amazing. |
| * Safety: |
I was worried about feeling safe walking around the village, but there was no point during the program that I felt unsafe. |
| 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) |
There was very little that I needed to spend money on. The only things that I spent money on were extra things that we would do on our non-programs day once a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think that really buying things that you know you're going to use or enjoy back home. Or on experiences that you won't have the opportunity to do again. |
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 |
We took a Swahili course but it was only for about 6 weeks of the program and outside of the classroom there wasn't a lot of time to use the language. But I don't think it's the programs fault. I should have committed myself more to practicing. |
| 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? | none |
| 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? | I think committing yourself to learning the language. I didn't try as hard as I'd like to and I wish I had spent more time learning it. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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 went in knowing a little more Swahili, but other than that I felt that SFS prepared me very well for the program. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
