A Semester of Self Discovery Past Review
By Maria T (Peace And Justice Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/22/2013 to 06/08/2013 with
CIEE: Cape Town - Arts and Sciences
I learned so much about South African history and society and it helped me reflect on my life as an African American living in the USA. It was 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. |
I found my courses to be about as challenging as my home college. I had less work but the material was engaging and challenging. My host university was definitely a lot larger than my home college and so I felt like I had less attention from professors and less resources at my disposal. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was pretty good. For the 250+ American students they had to accommodate and work with, I think they did pretty well. I also felt like they knew me individually and cared about my well being abroad. They could have been better with logistics and email, but it was not too bad. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was an anomaly and living in a newly renovated flat proximal to campus and the grocery store. the location was really convenient and our living arrangement was very comfortable. We had all the necessary amenities. But there were lots of students who lived in the university dorms who had poor kitchenware and poor living arrangements. |
| * Food: |
I prepared my own meals and this was pretty great since I rose to the challenge of being independent and self-sufficient. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt quite integrated with the culture because I tried my best to make friends who were local and I really focused on expanding my way of thinking and considering the South African perspectives. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I handled it on my own, they were not much help |
| * Safety: |
I was safe because I took precaution and was wise. But I knew of some students who were robbed, mugged and felt unsafe because they put themselves in risky situations. |
| 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) |
YEah I budgeted well so this wasnt too hard |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 100 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget budget budget! Buy in bulk and freeze your foods |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | To be more social and outgoing to make more local friends |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
