Life changing Past Review

By (International and Intercultural Communication., St. Cloud State University) - abroad from 07/08/2013 to 11/30/2013 with

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU): Port Elizabeth - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Gained a sense of adventure! Absolutely worthwhile.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Terrible communication, accommodation and reception of the students. We were basically dropped off and left to figure things our for ourselves.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Awful. Annie's Cove is not satisfactory for the cost of the program.

* 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:

Just keep your wits about you. I didn't really feel that it was any more or less safe than any typical American city, You have to be smart, don't travel alone and don't flash you valuables.

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? It varied depending on whether we were traveling or not.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

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?
  • Meeting other international students
  • Being the outsider
  • Learning about the culture
* What could be improved?
  • Preparation
  • Living accommodations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about the history and culture of South Africa

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'