An experience Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Professors did not always attend, some classes included no university-level instruction, A grades could be achieved without attending class

On-site administration of your program

I have very mixed feelings about the on-site administration. The program had a local coordinator. Although friendly, she seemed to allow her feelings towards us to interfere in the excecution of her job. Additionally, she resisted sharing information regarding dates, locations, etc. This could have been extremely helpful. In particular, there was one distinct case when I felt that I was put in a dangerous situation because she refused to share information regarding our safari excursion, sent us on a bus a day early, thus causing us to arrive at a bus station, ahving no idea what hotel we were supposed to be at, sitting at the nearly-abandoned outdoor bus station late at night trying to find out wear our hotel was and how we were supposed to get there, then finding out that our transportation to the hotel wasn't til the next day and that we actually didn't have a reservation til the next day.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Understanding that I was living in an underdeveloped country, the housing situation was highly satisfactory. My largest complaint is that the water didn't run, but my host family did everything they could to attempt to fix it. I was a little disgruntled at first because I was told beforehand that I would have a choice to live in the dorms but was not ultimately given this option. Although I preferred the idea of living with a host family anyways, I was unhappy that I was told something that was not true.

Again, the food was what could be expected in a developing country. Future students should pack vitamins and understand that they will be eating white rice and beans.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Classes were not with local students, which was extremely unfortunate. The host families were Western-educated and fairly Westernized. I found it difficult to integrate, especially as the internship I told was an option actually wasn't. Luckily, if students are proactive, there are more oppurtunities to integrate. I taught English to woodcarvers outside of the program.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Largely not applicable. It was good to have the travel health insurance. I got malaria twice and a fungal infeciton once. Students should be aware that the on-campus clinic, as well as the frequented clinic near Mlimani City and likely many others often given inaccurate malaria test results. Students should definitely get their typhoid vaccination before coming.

I have already mentioned the time I felt unsafe being sent on a trip without the itenerary or information regarding it. In general, women should be aware that they will be made to feel insecure. Violent gang rapes have happened at night on campus before. Walking in groups on campus at night still led to some getting mugged at machete-point. However, during the day, it is largely petty crime. Students should travel in groups and take trusted transportation at night.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

This is difficult to answer. For me, I only had to buy lunch at about $1.50 a day. Personal products, like shampoo, can be more expensive here, however. Traveling and transportation costs quickly add up as it is fairly inefficient. I also had to end up buying several rounds of malaria testing, despite taking anti-malarials, and malaria medication. Other expenses, like hand-washing liquid and bottled water must also be taken into account. Internet and phone service for me came out to be just as expensive as in the US. Still, it was certainly cheaper than going to Paris or Rome.

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

Our service project was in English and our coordinator only spoke to us in English.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• Host family
• Included excursions

• In-country support
• Quality of eduction

The Academic or Linguist