The best summer filled with goats and laughs. Past Review

By (Economics., Claremont McKenna College) - abroad from 06/18/2014 to 08/18/2014 with

ThinkImpact: Rwanda - Institute for Social Innovation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It cemented my desire to work in international development.

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.

I don't think anyone signs up for a program like ThinkImpact for the academic opportunity. It has more to do with the experience and applicable learning outside of the classroom.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The heads of the program were very organized and concerned about our wellbeing, but were not notably fun or there to be with us. It often felt that we were customers, not colleagues, and the tasks they wished to accomplish were for the program as a whole, not for the individual.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Homestays are the greatest thing in the whole world and everyone should do them. It's as simple as that.

* Food:

It was a homestay in rural Rwanda. If you like rice and beans every day you will like the 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:

Sometimes it was overkill.

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 applicable

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? In total probably ~200

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

We were living there, it was slightly required.

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? high school spanish
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? notecards

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Other
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 people
  • the homestay
  • the tangible effects of our work
* What could be improved?
  • the leadership
  • the rules are stifling
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? it's not that hard. I stressed too much before I left

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.