Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Adventure of a Lifetime Past Review

By (Physics., Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/22/2013 to 06/14/2013 with

CIEE: Cape Town - Arts and Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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? About $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not really... use your kitchen.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

4

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? None in Xhosa
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? Talk to people while you are there!

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Location
  • Food
  • People
* What could be improved?
  • Organization of CIEE
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The more you try to talk to people and make new friends, the more you will get out of living in a new place

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 Adventurer
The 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:

Astronomy
Course Department: Astronomy
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course! We got to visit the Cape Town Planetarium three times and the observatory! It was a really fun class and there were multiple group projects, so interacting with the other students was easy.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Beginner Xhosa
Course Department: Xhosa Language Department
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English and Xhosa
Comments: Was a great course, and very fun! It was a great way to learn about South African culture and was very fun to use outside the classroom. Exams and quizzes were fair. Class participation was very high and required because it was an intensive language class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Electrical and Mechanical Materials
Course Department: Electrical Engineering
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was challenging. It was a very large class, so participation was minimal. There were no field trips. The teacher did not engage the students.
Credit Transfer Issues: