Academics: Marine Biology was extremely difficult...you have 8 hours of class time. 4 hours for straight lecture, and then 4 hours for a field assignment. Over one week, I wrote 3 lab write-ups, had 50 identifications (of marine shells), and a final! There was also a deep-sea fishing trip, 3 snorkeling days, and some kayaking, which kept the class fun. The teachers? Eh. One week teacher was very enthusiastic, but his class was very work intensive, another week's teachers were bored but generally willing to help, another openly told us he was forced to do this! Many also said they "didn't believe in sunblock" (IN SOUTH FLORIDA!!!). The CA said that this was a very good cross-section of the marine biology classes she took as a freshman at UM.
Other programs, from what I've heard: Film is a great experience (you make a 7-10 minute movie, by yourself or in a group, your choice), Health and Medicine is good, ones that had little work-Global Politics, Forensics, Sports Management, Art, Engineering
Experience: The activities are great. Every morning and night after classes end on Friday afternoon has an OPTIONAL activity. South Beach, snorkeling, tons of stuff. You could suggest activities, and as long as you had enough CA's, you could go, for example, to a restaurant or movie. The campus is beautiful, exactly like the brochures. The other students were really nice and very smart-most, if not all, were in the #1 or #2 school in their state.
Pros: Campus, Activities, In-Class Trips, Other Students
Cons: Lots of work or very little work, Some uninterested teachers, Only three weeks, program ends right after finals, no "totally free" days
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