Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The BEST Month of my Entire College Education Past Review

By (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 06/06/2016 to 07/06/2016 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to gain a better understanding for conservation, wildlife management and how to take a step back from what you learn in a classroom and use the knowledge and observations from locals living in the area to assist in a way to improve the area.

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?

There is a very good clinic nearby, FAME. If a student needed to go someone from the program took us there and we were seen by one of the doctors on site. The healthcare was great and SUPER cheap! No insurance or anything is needed. I was seen by a doctor, had an x-ray of my hand and received a split, and it only cost about the equivalent of 20 USD.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? food $0, Personal souvenirs and activities $200 for the month

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

The language portion for the summer program was optional, but it was useful and assisted us in conversation with locals.

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

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Course
  • Seeing what we learn in the Class out in the field
  • Area, Landscape, Wildlife, People
* What could be improved?
  • none
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? During June and July its winter in Tanzania and even though its in Africa and near the equator it actually can get pretty cold!!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.