Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES., Tufts University) for

ISA Study Abroad in Cape Town, South Africa

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I loved the intimacy and family-ness of interstudy. I love Africa. And i wouldn't change my experience for the world. It has changed me as a person.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months
The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The interstudy on site administrators (Ouma, Nj, and Sebe) were more than I could have every expected. They were knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and caring. The UCT international office was decent, but really I had no need to seek them out that much.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

A group of flats just off campus with other interstudy students, it was a bit difficult to reach out to local students because of this, but very comforting to have that "family" feel. The flats were in Mowbray, I was in the Kendall Court flats. <br /><br /> It is just a reality in South Africa that security will be an issue, while I felt safe during my time abroad, the extra security measures took a bit getting used to.

* Food:

South african food is delicious!!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved everything!! From friends to activities to trips, love, love love!!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I really didn't have any significant health issues to comment on other than a few colds which I took care of with rest and over the counter medicine. Safety is just something to be aware of in Africa, locking doors all the time, not going alone anywhere at night, just me smart and be sensible.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? if I had to estimate I would say between 200-400 rand which would be approx $20-50. Cost of living is very cheap.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you can cook, cook and don't go out to eat all the time. Plan ahead for trips and make sure you have that money saved.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
Language acquisition improvement?

all classes were taught in english (to a degree)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Mantra: "Why the hell not?" (as you are about to go cage diving with great whites the first weekend in Africa)

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Religion in Africa

Course Department: REL2045S
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course for majors and non-religion majors. Takes you chronologically through African Traditional religion, the immersion of Christianity, and Islam in Africa.
Credit Transfer Issues: transferred as part of my major credits. (religion major)
Course Name/Rating:

Psychology of Religon

Course Department: REL2048S
Instructor: David Chidister (sp?)
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Another great course!! Look at religion as a state of consciousness, how religion pertains to the physical body, and spirit possession. Fascinating!!
Credit Transfer Issues: transferred as part of my major credit (religion major)
Course Name/Rating:

Media, Power, and Culture

Course Department: FAM2003S
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This is the course that made me change my career path! Not only did it include media studies, but media studies from a South African perspective!! Fantastic course!!
Credit Transfer Issues: transferred as part of my communication minor credit
Course Name/Rating:

African Dance
Course Department: MUZ1800S
Instructor: Maxwell
Instruction Language: English (ish)
Comments: As a dancer trained in classical ballet, I had no idea what a shock and joy African Dance would be!! Great way to stay in shape and a ton of fun whether you are a dancer or a non-dancer. Really fun performance at the end of the term that all my friends came to! Once downfall, it is mostly study abroad students and few locals.
Credit Transfer Issues: This was a little tricky because Tufts doesn't count practical dance classes abroad (but come on, it's African dance, in AFRICA!!) However, the class did include a hour of theory each week with a written paper and final written test, so in the end the credit did transfer.