Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Breaking patterns abroad Past Review

By (University of Vermont) - abroad from 01/29/2018 to 06/16/2018 with

IES Abroad: Cape Town - University of Cape Town

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained real-life understanding about the legacies of colonialism, classification, and the inheritance of racism from my experience abroad. I also was able to witness drastic natural beauty and a rich artistic culture, and these three intersections made it a very worthwhile semester.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Intense academic environment with high standards. Beautiful campus overlooking Cape Town from its position astride Table Mountain.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

IES was super supportive, knowledgeable, and invested in student success.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My apartment was the perfect option for me, as I wanted the independence of my own space with the proximity of friends and other students in my building. The facilities included- gym, outdoor spaces, even grills- were really a great perk and made spending free time at home enjoyable.

* Food:

My accommodation was self-catered, but field trips with IES always had plentiful and fresh food provided.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

When I needed a healthcare recommendation, my program center direction responded quickly and provided me with a range of providers. She made sure I understood my insurance and copay options, and followed up with me to make sure I was doing well and to see if I had any feedback.

* Safety:

Be mindful of your environment and belongings at all times. Women especially and foreign students (discernible by accents, clothing brands, etc.) should travel in pairs or groups whenever possible, and know your resources- I favorited relevant numbers in my cell phone, and that came in handy many times.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

In such a creative and support space, I was really able to step out of my comfort zone and deviate from comfortable patterns I'd fallen into in the U.S. Value and becoming comfortable with spontaneity were hallmarks of my time abroad with IES.

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)

Food in South Africa is very cheap compared to U.S. standards, as are Ubers. However, walking at night is not a good idea so the cost of Ubers to and from places you might want to go can add up. Definitely carpool and split your fares with other students, or walk in groups.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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- beaches & mountains, plus city energy
  • The IES team- a family halfway around the world
  • Included trips and outings at no additional cost
* What could be improved?
  • Orientation provided by the direct enrollment university, UCT, was pretty dry and monotonous
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's okay not to know everything about the country or program you're embarking to. You learn as you go.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.