South Africa: A World Within A Country Past Review
By Zachary T (Political Science - International Studies, Stonehill College) for
AIFS: Stellenbosch - Study Abroad or Service Learning at Stellenbosch University
I have learned what it means to be a global citizen.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload was intense at times. Overall, not a hard as my home university, however, it challenged me in different ways. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The site director, Hestea de Wet (fondly referred to as MamaH) is an amazing woman who will bend over backwards to make sure that you're situated, healthy and enjoying life as an honorary South African. Hestea guided me, and 30 other American students, through our first few weeks in SA. She continued to be a valuable resource for me throughout my entire time in SA. I can only say good things about her and AIFS. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Many options! I cooked for myself, however, I was always able to find the ingredients I wanted or go out to amazing restaurants. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Bungee jumping from the highest point on a bridge in the world! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was always in the back of my mind, however, it's not something that presented a problem throughout my entire trip. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? |
Most people spoke English in the town I lived. However, I could always choose to interact in Afrikaans when I wanted. |
| 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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Those who like taking chances and trying new things can easily call South Africa home! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Learning for Sustainable Community Engagement |
| Course Department: | Unknown |
| Instructor: | Grant Demas |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | A life-changing course which gave me a purpose. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
