Amazing Adventure! Past Review

By (Trinity University) - abroad from 08/28/2014 to 12/10/2014 with

SIT Study Abroad: Tanzania - Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot even though it wasn't always in a classroom setting. I learned the most about the Masai tribe when I stayed with them.

Review Photos

SIT Study Abroad: Tanzania - Wildlife Conservation And Political Ecology Photo SIT Study Abroad: Tanzania - Wildlife Conservation And Political Ecology Photo

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

A mix of homestays/camping/hostels

* Food:

Lots and lots of rice and beans.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We all got sick at one point but nothing too serious- we were told to bring certain medications with us and it was fine. I got a sack of maggot eggs in my foot! A member of the safari team took it out for me

* Safety:

We had a lot of freedom to roam the city. Camping was a little scary- we were right there with all the wild animals!

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)

everything in Tza is really cheap with the exchange rate, and you don't need to spend money while on safari

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 0-$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Only buy local food, it will save you a lot of money!

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

My homestay family spoke very little english, and it was helpful to bargain in Swahili- you got a better deal!

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? Intermediate
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • Baba Jack, academic director
  • the freedom- there were very few rules on the program
  • my independent study project
* What could be improved?
  • the food= it was bland and repetitive
  • our housing stipend
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to bring fewer things, and a daypack!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.