<p>
[quote]
I am also in favor of the programs where the students live as a group - especially in very academic programs.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I actually lean more towards homestay programs. I think they are much more demanding on the student, but in return much more immersive and rewarding.</p>
<p>It is really hard to talk about study abroad generically. The realities of a study abroad program in Kenya or India are very different than one in Geneva or London. Even among European programs, there is a huge variety in the degree of immersion. For example, the Smith programs that Mini talks about are very demanding with 100% language immersion, homestays, etc. That's very different from a US college program where students live together in dorms or apartments and take classes in English. The desired degree of immersion is going to also differ depending on the country. The right amount of immersion in a culturally familiar western European country might be overwhelming on a first visit to a developing country with significant cultural barriers.</p>
<p>That is quite the adventure, nikrud! I showed your posts to my daughter, and we had a good laugh. And she got just a tiny bit more flexible about considering some other programs. Maybe the laughter helped her to lighten up just a little!</p>
<p>Nikrud, would one of the academic activities in your D's program be considered reading between the lions?</p>
<p>Like Mini's D, mine is a Smithie but she's on a kind of hybrid program: classes in English, but staying in a home (another student has a room in the home as well) with students dispersed in homes and apartments across the city (Budapest). Program kicked off with a two-week all-day (partial on Sat/Sun) intensive course in Hungarian, followed by a slower course in Hungarian concurrent with the other "abroad" classes. The program is approved by Smith but actually run by St. Olaf's College...there seem to be dozens of these programs, tailored for almost every desire.</p>
<p>Daughter did IES in Chile - living in homestay for 5 months, attending the Catolica Universidad de Chile for 3 classes, took 2 ies classes. She wasn't all that impressed with the "value added" of the IES label...could have direct enrolled in the catolica international program for less money - but this felt safer, and with financial aid, the costs were the same...</p>
<p>LOL TheDad! Actually, she is taking 18 credit hours for her program...2 of which are in Swahili. She is living with 33 other American Students, but the Profs are all Kenyans educated in the US and the UK mainly. One guy actually went to grad school in Idaho, :). They are totally immersed, especially as they are so isolated, however, language is not a huge part of it. D has really loved learning the Swahili -but much to her surprise, and a little American arrogance and ignorance she admits, the nomadic tribe, Masaai I believe, speak THREE languages by the time they reach HS age. The people are so welcoming to these students every semester. The children are so taken by the students. One of the little girls told my D she could get as many as 10 or 20 goats in an offer of marriage - since she has blond hair and blue eyes they explained to her that she is very 'valuable.'!!! D thought this was hilarious. Not so hilarious has been on their interactions with this particular tribe, the girls have to wear long skirts and sleeves around the locals....and when they have been invited to share a meal, the men and boys eat first, and then the women. The life led by women in these cultures is a shock - even tho they knew this beforehand. We got a letter from her today that had a CD in it with downloaded pictures. Looking at the pics of my D surrounded by these beautiful people and the shots of the wildlife she has seen everyday has brought tears to my eyes. She worked as a zookeeper every summer since her jr year of highschool, and it's really hitting home as to how little she really knows about animals, and the extent to which African nations are trying to save them. But most striking of all is how SHE sounds - so grounded and introspective. I also love that kids can live with families -I like that too - I'm just not a big fan of kids living in apartments where they are not constantly involved andimmersed in the culture. Too easy to check in back at home and school, etc.<br>
Also to mstee - I'm sure the stories when she gets home will be hilarious - she's a funny kid anyway. She was fascinated by the fact that several of the kids there had unusual majors for Kenya and Wildlife Management -like Art History and elementary ed! She said they are struggling a little with some of the bio, and don't have the background in statistics so helpful in research -but that everyone helps them as a team, and that these kids have added a wonderfully different perspective to the hard core science kids. I just wish I was 20 again, really! I miss D's voice so much I could cry, but I am expecting a much fulfilled child with a mch broader outlook on life, as well as a little less self-involvement upon her return! I hope all of your kids find all that they are looking for on their SA's. Sometimes they find it in places way out of their comfort zones! But I for one think going abroad for a semester or a year is an invaluable experience. There are sooo many great programs out there - look at all of them - your kids have lots to offer as well as lots to bring back!</p>
<p>nikrud, enjoyed reading about your daughter's experience very much. </p>
<p>I am bumping this thread, just in case anyone has suggestions for an intense language program that is well supervised and safe -- German or Spanish -- for the summer for a high school graduate that is 17 but wants to be treated like an adult not a kid . . . I will try posting on the summer programs thread as well, though haven't gotten much response there when I've posted before.</p>