The type of thing you want to get a tattoo about. Past Review

By (Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences., University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/20/2014 to 05/17/2014 with

Williams College: Mystic - Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Who I am and what I want to do with my life. That may sound like a lot of pressure, but I mean it. This place makes you want to learn everything.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academics here are amazing. The professors will talk to you at any time of day, and for any length of time. They care about you and want you to improve. They are passionate about what they are doing, and want you to study what makes you happy. They get super into on location lectures that is something you can't get from a home institution. That being said, you should not attend this program if you don't want to learn. This program is about absorbing these amazing professors and the locations that you can't do at a home institution. This is not a lets go drink in Europe and write one paper in six months program- but you will not regret it!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

A very small staff that gets to know you very personally and will help you out. Some times it is hard since it is so small though.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The houses are amazing. You live in these small New England home with about 4-6 people. The houses are comfortable and well decorated. I miss my house every day when I am back on campus.

* Food:

Your meal plan is a check to your house. Your house goes grocery shopping together with this money. My house ate and cooked dinner together every day and it was probably some of my most memorable times sitting in the kitchen with them. The only reason for 4/5 stars is because, while I was very fortunate to get an incredibly lenient household in terms of food, some times you can be housed with someone picky. This can cause troubles with allocating how much money gets spent on food for specific people and was one of the only sources for drama on the program.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

While you don't leave the United States, you would be impressed how much there is to learn about different cultures. You really get to know the Mystic locals for it is a very very small town and just by sitting in a coffee shop every afternoon to do my homework lead to me feeling like I knew half the town and they knew me. On the Louisiana trip, you REALLY get to know the locals and what it means to be from the Bayou (very eye opening for everyone on my trip).

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The professor once drove someone who was feeling light headed to the hospital, just because she cared. You do need to be up to date with most vaccines for the off-shore trip.

* Safety:

Mystic is an incredible town. I don't even know if there is a crime rate. I stayed over the summer as well, and was never afraid to be in the house alone, leave my car unlocked, or go for a run at night.

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)

5 (they give you food costs and anything you would need while traveling, all expenses are optional). They give you gas money for getting to the store.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $15- coffee/some gas

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • People
  • Professors
  • Travel/Mystic
* What could be improved?
  • Administration (young kids just out of college, turnover problems)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't hesitate! Also, you won't do a lot of college lifestyle drinking, but it isn't a deterrent.