The Best of Bali Past Review
By Michael Ciaramella (University of California - San Diego / UCSD) - abroad from 06/22/2015 to 07/08/2015 with
The Sea State: Bali - Creative Nonfiction Writing - Surf Journalism
I learned a lot about the world and writing. Definitely worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Just the right mount of learning and fun |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sea State had everything line up and a great local guide |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The tap water is dirty, but it's Bali so there's no way around that. Otherwise it was a beautiful setting. |
| * Food: |
The cheapest, the best! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Traditional full moon ceremony at a secluded Hindu temple. About as organic as it gets |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Bali belly is no joke but our professor Matt George handled our ailments as well as humanly possible |
| * Safety: |
No one is truly safe in the motor scooter capital of the world be we all made it unscathed! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Learned a ton, had a great time, led to future career opportunities |
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) |
Bali is cheap! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | steer clear of alcohol |
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 used it as much as possible |
| 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? | Just search online |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | to have full confidence in my writing abilities |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
