Culture Exchange Past Review
By Samantha A (Psychology, Bates College) - abroad from 01/25/2019 to 05/09/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - Multiculturalism and Human Rights
I learned a lot about different cultures in South Africa and learned how to be more flexible with change.
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with host families helped this. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Program helped students get to and from doctor's appointments. |
| * Safety: |
Make sure you keep all valuables close or leave them at home. It is a big city where it is easy to get pick-pocketed, especially if your phone or money is visible. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
There were some ups and downs but I had a great time abroad. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Very little because the program paid for most food and transportation |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The program gave us money for food, but this money can also be used for other expenses especially if you stay under the food budget. |
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? | French in high shool |
| 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? | Speak it with your host family. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | The money the program gives you for food can be used for anything. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
