Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Sun, The Sea, and Great People Past Review

By (Environmental Studies., Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/04/2013 to 05/09/2013 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Turks and Caicos Islands - Marine Resource Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Everything. It was absolutely great.

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.

All of the courses were very academically rigorous. I felt that I learned and experienced the most that I could have during my time in the TCI.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Loved absolutely everyone. They were warm welcoming and fantastic. Always there for you when you needed them.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It would have been nice to have less people in each room.

* Food:

Considering we were on an 8-mile wide island, the food was great.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The locals were wonderful. They really made you feel comfortable and like you were one of them. We weren't afraid to approach anyone.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was a little difficult because of the limited resources, but for what we had, it was good. I never felt apprehensive or unsettled about the healthcare.

* Safety:

The safety was fine. Everyone knows everyone, just don't be foolish.

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? $20

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
* 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?
  • The people
  • The diving
  • The island
* What could be improved?
  • The food
  • The housing
  • The bugs
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How bad the mosquitoes are.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Vaules
Course Department: Environmental Studies
Instructor: Edward J. Hind
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The professor was phenomenal. He really made, I assume what many find, a dull, non science class into a fun and active one. Academically, it was one of the easier classes at the center, but by no means easy. There were papers, exams, and essays within the exams.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Tropical Marine Ecology
Course Department: Biological Sciences
Instructor: Aaron Henderson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was extremely challenging academically. There was a lot of memorization of species and processes. The exams were difficult as well. They were not impossible because he does not try to trick you, but it is a LOT of information over a very little amount of time. He is a fantastic professor and extremely knowledgable.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Principles of Marine Resource Management
Course Department: Environmental Studies
Instructor: Alex Tilley
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging, but not in a positive way. The assignments were very unclear at times, and I don't feel that I learned as much as I did in the two other courses. The professor was often vague when answering questions and did not seem to have clear expectations.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Directed Research
Course Department: Environmental Studies
Instructor: Edward J. Hind
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was not a course, it was a directed research project, and therefore differed from student to student. Mine was a social science project that dealt with citizen science and climate witness interviews. It was one of the best educational experiences for me because of interpersonal interactions; interactions between me and my professors, my research partners, the other staff and students at the center, the members of the community and those who participated in our research.
Credit Transfer Issues: