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Study Abroad in South Africa, Best Decision I Ever Made
AIFS: Stellenbosch - Stellenbosch University
Program Information
Attend courses with more than 400 international students from other African countries and around the world. Study art, history, literature, political science, service learning, African studies and more during a semester or year abroad with AIFS in Stellenbosch, South Africa. By including your tuition, housing,... More
| Provider: | AIFS |
| Location(s): | Stellenbosch, South Africa |
| Year Founded: | 1964 |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
A student () on October 18, 2011
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-01-16 |
| * End Date: | 2011-06-11 |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Work load was similar, grading system was different but fair, teaching methods were similar, didn't take any main-stream classes so there was no language barrier. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dont have one bad thing to say about this program, i absolutely loved it. The size of the program was perfect, you got to really bond with everyone you met. AIFS coordinator, Hestea De Wet, was absolutely amazing and so supportive. |
| * Housing: |
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| * Food: |
You will go out to dinner a lot, but the food is delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All trips provided by our program were amazing, there was a welcoming event where we got to meet so many new people and was lots of fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt directly unsafe or threatened. Obviously South Africa has a high crime rate and you can't act stupid or do anything dangerous, but if you use common sense and act smart you will be completely fine. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did your university prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
English was spoken everywhere, I took two language classes which was fun but you could definitely get by without it |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Enjoy every second, immerse yourself in the culture, meet as many locals as you can, and don't waste your weekends being hungover! Make the most of the time you have! |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | I honestly couldn't have asked for a better trip. I felt like a different person, for the better, coming home. I would go back in a heartbeat, that country and the people I met will always be with me. |