Memorable and Touching March 26, 2024
By Marilyn A (Women and Gender Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/23/2023 to 12/22/2023 with
The Caribbean Student Support Network: Contemporary Caribbean Studies
I met so many new people, tried doubles (!), immersed myself in a new culture, pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and experienced the beauty of Trinidad, Tobago, and Costa Rica.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics were good. Some classes were better than others, so be sure to ask around. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Roannta was amazing! She provided support every step of the way and always made sure we were comfortable and making the best of our experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was good as we each got our own rooms, kitchens, restrooms, and common spaces to share. The housing community was amazing and super inclusive of students studying abroad as well. My only qualm was the lack of AC, but it was standard across all on-campus housing. With that said, be prepared to buy fans and adjust to the heat. |
| * Food: |
Doubles, you have to try doubles! After visiting Trinidad and Tobago, I found that they are now among my top five foods of all time. The only sad part is that nowhere else can it be as good as Trinidad and Tobago. Other local food was good as well. There is a lot of variety, so make sure to be adventurous. With that said, most of the meals had to be cooked on our own, but when I did not want to, I just made the short journey to get local Chinese/Indian food or enlisted friends to get in a rideshare and get doubles with me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
By the end of my time studying abroad in Trinidad and Tobago, I felt incorporated into the local culture, especially into dorm life. My favorite part of the program was getting to know other people studying abroad, especially people from Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean countries. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I only experienced a health issue once, and the program advisor, Roannta, was quick to provide medicine and consistently check up on me. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe throughout my entire time in Trinidad and Tobago. I advise taking the same basic precautions as any other major city, and you'll be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
CSSN is a great program, especially since it is only in its first year and will continue to get better with time. |
Finances
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* 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) |
I spent around $100 a week on average, sometimes less, sometimes more. It depends on what groceries you buy and what adventures you choose to do (e.g., going to the beach, taking a trip to Tobago, going out for doubles one too many times, etc.). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to purchase local food and products rather than imported goods since they are generally more expensive. It is okay to indulge occasionally, though, especially if you are homesick and craving the taste of more familiar food. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How hot it was going to be so I could better prepare. Ironically, how cold the classrooms would be, so I could bring more than one sweater. |
