One of the most valuable and different experiences of my college career Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/16/2017 to 12/08/2017 with

Spelman College: Atlanta - Domestic Exchange for Visiting Students

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think a clarity and confidence about myself and my goals as well as a firmer perspective on the many different women of color navigate social spaces both here and abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

To preface, I found my experience to be incredibly valuable for both the social and academic elements. However, I found the academic rigor to be less intense than Wellesley, although the perspective given in all my courses made up for the lack of challenge. Spelman is also a significantly smaller school, both in space and budget. While there is nothing lacking in resources, someone used to the extra expenses Wellesley makes for us might find Spelman does not make make similar accommodations.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

While incredible nice, Ms. Neely is not incredibly accessible. If you need anything from her call or visit her office. She rarely responds to emails in a timely fashion and texts/groupme messages will only get you so far.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing, while adequate lacked a few key aspects. You are not allowed to own a refrigerator in many of the dorms and the mini refrigerators in the communal kitchens are not sufficient to be shared for an entire hall.

* Food:

Could have been worse, but pretty limited options

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

While all the students I met were very friendly, there was not structure to integrate us into the student body. Our orientation was held after the transfer student and freshman orientation week and it took weeks for us to be added to class email groups. I would make the effort to join clubs or take classes in the AUC to make friends.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no issues, but I also avoided being sick all semester.

* Safety:

Excellent, but overkill. No male-passing individuals are allowed on campus after 11:45pm (risk fines for sleepovers) and non-spelman students (mostly non femme-passing folx) are allowed into dorms between 11:45 pm and 6pm. You definitely feel safe, just a bit restricted.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I chose Spelman because I am a Black women and there are few programs that would address my experience as fully as an all women's HBCU. While there were flaws in the program and my experience, I would not trade it for anything else.

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)

If you are satisfied on the meal plan (includes dining halls, subway, starbucks, convenience store and taco place) and like staying on campus, expenses are minimal. If you want to eat out, or delivery or leave campus expect to pay for uber and ubereats.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Spend your dining dollars and meal exchanges wisely, low key budget your dining dollars. Stock up on your fav frozen meals and ramen for times the dining hall is really terrible and splurge when you really need a break.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • Being around so many beautiful black folx
  • Black Pride with Afrekete
  • Wonderful friends and long conversations in lower manley
* What could be improved?
  • faster and clearer communication with administrators
  • better food
  • better integration into the student body
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If you are there in the fall, save up for Homecoming and Afropunk. If not for hair / makeup / nails / clothes, then for all the concert tickets. Take advantage of milder course work and get out and have fun.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!