A Gentle Introduction to Africa: Namibia aka "Baby Africa" Past Review
By Gabrielle K (Valparaiso University) - abroad from 01/15/2012 to 05/05/2012 with
CGEE: Windhoek - Nation-Building, Globalization, and Decolonizing the Mind
to share what I have with those who are in need, even if I do not have a lot. Sharing benefits everybody
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Visited many educational and interesting places; schedule was busy but not too busy. Internet was frustratingly slow. Enjoyed spending time at the pool. Made good local Namibian friends. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Gave us personal space but were on call if we needed them. Very understanding. Intervened when necessary. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Wish I had more interaction with Namibian students. |
| * Food: |
Food was usually delicious, with the exception of a few days. Sometimes would have the same food like noodles three times in one week, which I didn't enjoy. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Wish I got more interaction with students. It was hard to interact with university students because my classes, meals, and bed were all in the same house. This is nice, but it would be nice to be offered more activities that exposed me to other students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Once a few girls in my student group were mugged, our house made rules about letting people in and the CGE staff hired another security guard. |
| 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) |
Going out was very affordable. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Had Oshiwambo class once per week until our visit to Outapi. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 204 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go over vocab words and practice simple sentences with other students. |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | all the things there are to do in Windhoek and Namibia in general. Wish I bought a traveling book on the country |
