Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Immersed in many different cultures, not just one Past Review

By (international political economy, Fordham University) - abroad from 02/02/2013 to 06/28/2013 with

Fordham University: Pretoria - Fordham in Pretoria

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that there are many different cultures around the globe, but as human beings everyone has something in common.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic rigor could be toned back a bit to allow students more time for volunteer service and to explore the country.

* 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? $40

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • The cultures
  • The people
  • The courses
* What could be improved?
  • Lower the coursework load
  • More time for community service
  • More freedom for students to explore the country on their own
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I would have very little freedom. We were discouraged from going to Johannesburg on our own and were required to have a chaperone with us whenever we left the Hatfield neighborhood.