A Challenging but Rewarding Exploration of Race, Power, and Identity Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/26/2016 to 12/08/2016 with
SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - Multiculturalism and Human Rights
I learned about South Africa's histories of colonialism, apartheid, and the liberation struggle. I had difficult, complex conversations about race, identity, privilege, and history with the other American students on the program. I reflected on current events in Cape Town and South Africa, and related them back to the United States. I explored a new city and learned about its history and culture. I undertook a month-long independent study on a topic of my choice.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
+++ Fascinating lectures; many visits to museums, monuments, cultural institutions; major emphasis on experiential learning outside of the classroom --- The schedule was sometimes overcrowded with activities; towards the end of the semester the assignments were not spaced out well |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators of the program are kind, funny, professional, and supportive. Sometimes there was not clear communication about logistics or assignments. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The host families were so wonderful, especially Tshabo and Bo Kaap. The process of finding housing accommodations for the independent study portion of the trip was hurried, disorganized, and stressful. |
| * Food: |
There were not many vegetarian options in South Africa, but the host families and the program staff were very accommodating. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with host families was a great way to make connections with locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any issues with my health while I was in South Africa. There was a local doctor's office very close to the program headquarters. |
| * Safety: |
Cape Town is similar to major US cities in terms of safety. Americanness and whiteness in particular are potent signifiers of wealth in an international context, so it is wise to keep your wits about you and not be flashy with money/electronics, especially iPhones. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
The program provides a food stipend, which is very helpful. South African prices are much cheaper than in the United States. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~50 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save time by getting USD exchanged into ZAR before you leave for South Africa. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | n/a |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Look up YouTube videos of the different types of clicks in isiXhosa to practice before the program begins. Not necessary, but helpful. |
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? |
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? | It is much more of a hands-off educational philosophy than I expected, in terms of self-directed learning, writing papers, and conducting research. |
