Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

20% like being at a resort, 80% like being on survivor. December 28, 2023

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/01/2023 to 12/12/2023 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 valuable research techniques, became scuba certified, and got real good at darts. It was definitely worthwhile.

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.

Academics were easier compared to my home institution, but in combination with the rigor of waterfront activities, outreach, and a drastically new living environment it was overall a more difficult educational experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administration was smooth, somethings were not communicated as soon as they could have been.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It's a field station so the less than ideal arrangements are to be expected. My room didn't have crabs or mice so I'd consider it pretty good.

* Food:

Nutritious but can be repetitive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There are opportunities and community outreach was a blast but only focused on connecting with the schools and children.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Cheap, you pay in cash (25$ a trip) and prescriptions were inexpensive. Nothing major can be treated on the island though so anything worse than a cold or ear infection would most likely require a more expensive trip to Providenciales. Program coordinators were very helpful and basic first aid supplies were available to students.

* Safety:

Everything was very safe because it's a small island community. Sometimes the dogs are sketchy, so carry a water bottle in case they bother you. Don't mess with the donkeys. The staff are very knowledgeable on potentially dangerous wildlife and dives were very structured and safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

In the moment this program was very difficult and challenging, but you will never experience something like this program anywhere else. You will make life long friends and connections. There is nowhere else where you can wake up, dive with sharks, listen to Beyoncé while doing dishes for the whole program, learn how to tie knots, and be lassoed by a 7 year old, all within 5 hours.

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)

Most things were provided by the program, occasional snacks and Saturday night drinks were the only expenses.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? For the program break get an airbnb with lots of friends and cook at the airbnb. Eating out in Provo is expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • 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 field excursions
  • Diving
  • The sense of community
* What could be improved?
  • More ability to explore the island.
  • Later curfew.
  • More consideration for bad internet when it comes to academics.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You will feel gross and it's going to be so hot but you will adjust! Noise cancelling earbuds or earplugs are a must to sleep through the donkey noises and dog barking. You will wear sandals constantly.

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.