A paradigm shift Past Review
By Will D (PSYCHOLOGY., Georgetown University) - abroad from 06/23/2013 to 08/10/2013 with
ThinkImpact: Ghana Institute for Health or Social Innovation
Yes totally worthwhile. I found a leader in myself and connected with people who showed me new ways of thinking and innovating.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned more from this experience than any formal education system in the U.S. could have taught me. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was great and there was a natural hierarchy of communication. I build great connections with my community and country advisors. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I'm giving this a high rating because I expected to live in the 0-Star comfort level that is a homestay. However, my host family was more than generous and provided great food and support. |
| * Food: |
The food isn't gourmet and you don't really have a menu. In fact you will probably eat the same thing every day with little variance. But as they say "This is Africa". |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
By the end of the trip I felt like I had created a new home for myself. Living and learning from the local community was the best part of the experience for me. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We had a couple health issues, and, given the circumstances, dealt with them in the best manner possible. |
| * Safety: |
Although it was pitch black every night and I was in a totally foreign place, I never felt like my safety was in jeopardy. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Everything was super cheap. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Less than $10 |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Get a printout of the common phrases and practice them with your friends who are going on the trip. |
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? | Bring a multivitamin. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
