Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A truly once-in-a-lifetime, wild, exciting, and eye-opening experience! Past Review

By (Bowdoin College) - abroad from 01/24/2015 to 05/02/2015 with

Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): South Africa - African Ecology and Conservation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
100% worthwhile!!! I learned so much about myself, other people, the world, ecology, conservation, and science in general.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was pretty acadeically intense and the lecturers have high expectations, but the work is fun interesting and reasonable.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone associated with OTS in South Africa is kind, caring, intelligent, and super cool!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Due to the nature of the program some of the locations that you stay don't have the most ideal sleeping arrangements but given the nature of the program they are suitable.

* Food:

Food is amazing!! You will miss it when you return home!! The cooks are so talented and such kind, fun, and caring people!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were times that I felt very immersed such as when we were in the cities and on our homestay but since we were in some really really rural and seculded locations to conduct research there were times that we were not in contact with the average South African lifestyle.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

You need to get some vaccines before arriving in SA and take anti-marlarial meds for part of your stay.

* 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)

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
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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 lecturers/cooks/people in general
  • Wide range of experiences/travel throughout the program
* What could be improved?
  • I can't think of anything that needed to be improved.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I knew that I would have limited contact with my family and friends but I wish I better understood or been prepared to be off the grid for the semester. (Plan summer internships over winter break before leaving for the program in the spring!! It will make your life easier)

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.