Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Incredible experience Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 05/10/2012 to 08/26/2012 with

St. Mary's College of Maryland: Nitze Scholars Program, South Africa

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned an appreciation for international travel--I'm looking forward do doing more traveling in the future.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Not applicable, but the study tour was very well organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We stayed at a variety of hostels.

* Food:

Dining in ZA was excellent.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt safe the entire time because I was informed about the potential issues

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)

The Nitze program was very generous.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $600 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't buy souvenirs the first day; the same items will be cheaper later.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The food
  • The camaraderie
  • The fact that we saw so much
* What could be improved?
  • Longer travel time
  • A few more "free days"
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How quickly time would pass.