A Transformative Semester Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/26/2018 to 05/10/2018 with

SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - Multiculturalism and Human Rights

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience abroad was absolutely worthwhile. The multidisciplinary approach to learning enabled me to critically examine interconnectedness, particularly concentrating on the shape-shifting omnipresence of white supremacy. My learning was also deeply rooted in relationship building, with folks on and off the program. I feel as grounded as ever in the reality that we are constantly changing one another, often in ways we'll never entirely know.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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:

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? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Experiential Learning Approach/Homestays
  • Independent Research/Supportive Advisors
  • Variety of guest lecturers
* What could be improved?
  • Structural organization/communication
  • Deconstructing the gender binary/supporting trans students
  • A little more room for students to have control over what they'd like to explore
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had done more extensive reading on the historical context of the different places we lived.