Surreal Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/09/2012 to 11/15/2012 with
CIEE: Cape Town - Arts and Sciences
I gained a deeper understanding about a country that I would have never necessarily known or cared about otherwise. It was definitely worthwhile.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There were often too many people in the house. It was cramped making meals and constantly dirty. |
| * Food: |
We had to make all of our food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Wish I met more South Africans. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I pulled a muscle while there, and one of the CIEE coordinators drove me right to the doctor where I was seen right away. |
| * Safety: |
The city itself isn't very safe, but CIEE did a great job making us feel safe. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150-$200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Although the food is super cheap, it adds up quickly if you're constantly eating out. |
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 |
Everyone also spoke English, and all the classes were taught in English. |
| 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? | 220 Spanish |
| 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? | I took Afrikaans, so there is no real way of practicing unless you are in the country. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Don't get discouraged at first. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
African Dance |
| Course Department: | Dance |
| Instructor: | Maxwell Xolani |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | It was a really fun class that brought in a lot of culture and taught us about the evolution of South African dance in terms of oppression and apartheid. The teacher was very knowledgable and engaging. We had a final practical and then a paper at the end which I found very interesting to write. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I did not have trouble. |
