Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Researching coral reefs in paradise! Past Review

By (Knox College) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 12/16/2015 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?
I learned a lot about how to study coral reefs and conduct related research projects. This was a very worthwhile experience as having the opportunity to conduct an individual research project in marine ecology is a very rare opportunity. The experience can also help you to get future opportunities in the marine ecology field.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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

This program gave me the unique opportunity to get hands on experience researching coral reefs and scuba diving. All the professors are very passionate about what they teach and about getting students in the field as a part of their learning experience. There are also many opportunities to get involved with the community and volunteer with elementary age students.

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)

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Scuba diving!
  • Community outreach
  • Living on an island where you can always go exploring
* What could be improved?
  • Staff could have a slightly more hands off approach
  • Research projects could be slightly more individualized in terms of data collection
  • Courses could be more challenging and cover more material
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Dive at every opportunity and take the Advanced Open Water course if available. Also, bring lots of shorts and tank tops and clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.