2 Months Living in Rwanda Past Review

By (HISTORY., Franklin University Switzerland) - abroad from 06/18/2014 to 08/13/2014 with

ThinkImpact: Rwanda - Institute for Social Innovation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience was extremely worthwhile for the additional perspectives that I was able to gain about people who have a different background and view of life than I do.

Review Photos

ThinkImpact: Rwanda - Institute for Social Innovation Photo ThinkImpact: Rwanda - Institute for Social Innovation Photo ThinkImpact: Rwanda - Institute for Social Innovation Photo ThinkImpact: Rwanda - Institute for Social Innovation Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Less than 10 USD.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't buy that many American products. They will deplete your wallet faster than anything else.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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 speak and try it. Don't worry about being perfect; if you never talk then you will never improve.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Learning in a hands-on environment.
  • Ability to develop business knowledge in a real-world situation.
* What could be improved?
  • The program was a bit too expensive and there was not a substantial amount of aid given.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it would be possible to get external scholarships.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'