TRULY SPECTACULAR AND LIFE CHANGING Past Review
By Stephen S (Counseling Psychology, Delaware Valley College) - abroad from 06/17/2013 to 08/14/2013 with
ThinkImpact: Ghana Institute for Health or Social Innovation
Learning and experiencing the process of social innovation firsthand, with an incredibly detailed, thought out, and well-organized curriculum and resource book (“The Action Kit”) in a foreign environment is something that cannot be replicated. In addition to the innovation process, the social and cultural integration that I experienced in this program is something you cannot get anywhere else. Within a few weeks, I felt like a true member of the community - a testament of the Institute and the communities chosen for the Institute. TRULY life-changing, TRULY motivating, and TRULY inspiring.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Nothing is harder than starting a business, especially while immersed in a culture so different than yours. The Action Kit, which was the "guide" to the process, provided an excellent resource that helped us navigate the innovation process. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Considering the conditions (no electricity or running water), the accommodations were clean, and the beds were adequate. The greatest part of the housing was the family. They truly treated us as one of their own, and it made the experience even better. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The social and cultural integration that I experienced in this program is something you cannot get anywhere else. Within a few weeks, I felt like a true member of the community - a testament of the program and it's curriculum. TRULY life-changing. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Less than 5 USD |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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 |
Using the local language was not required, but definitely helped the innovation process by allowing me to communicate when my village colleague struggled. |
| 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 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I would have brought more Gatorade. When your body is tired from travel, adjusting to the local cuisine, and from walking around all day, it is easy to get dehydrated. Bringing a couple extra containers of electrolyte powder would have been beneficial. |
