Testing My Boundaries Past Review
By Chase Evans (University of Virginia) - abroad from 05/30/2016 to 07/22/2016 with
iXperience Cape Town – Future-Focused Summer Courses and Internships
Apart from my improved grasp of excel, I think I became more open to new and exciting experiences on this trip. Before going to Cape Town, I vowed that I would not bungee jump from Bloukrans Bridge, but last week I (somewhat hesitantly) did just that while on the Garden Route. I also went paragliding, shark cage diving, and surfing--all of which I was nervous about doing.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I thought I learned a ton simply through practice and being flung into assignments that from the beginning were a little over my head. But as I became more comfortable with the material, I found myself gaining confidence and learning a ton. |
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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? |
I loved both Never@Home and The Mojo Hotel. Never@Home had smaller living spaces, but better areas to hang out with our classmates in my opinion. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I still stick out as an American because of my clothing, but I feel like I understand Cape Town better than any place I've ever stayed. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I heard of people getting pick-pocketed and having their cards skimmed, but it never happened to me. I never felt unsafe despite being in a big city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really think I grew a lot on this trip. I took finance, a class that I didn't have any experience in prior to the trip, and I left feeling pretty solid on much of the concepts that were brought up. I especially improved in my knowledge of Microsoft Excel, as I used it quite a lot building models in class and during my internship. |
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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 0 |
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? | That I would conquer some of my fears. |
