Out of this world and out of my comfort zone box! Past Review

By (Dance., University of Maryland - College Park) - abroad from 07/27/2012 to 08/19/2012 with

ThisWorldMusic: Traveling - Study in Ghana: Music, Arts, Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can't truly express the many life-enhancing things I learned during my experience abroad. But one major thing that stands out to me is the ability to meet people from all walks of life and find common ground and develop a respect for one another's differences.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

We really got to interact with and build friendships with the locals.

* 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)

Budgeting is easy if you learn to stick to it.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $100 per week bought food, personal lessons, and lots of souvenirs.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take time to write out every expense and over-estimate rather than under-estimate your expenses. It's better to have some money leftover than to go home broke.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • EVERYTHING
  • Being humbled by the surroundings.
* What could be improved?
  • No improvements needed, it was perfect.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, I was super-prepared.