South Africa: Studying With a Meaning Past Review
By Brandon M (Biology, General., Southwest Tennessee Community College) for
Tennessee Consortium for International Studies (TnCIS): Traveling - TnCIS in South Africa
The qualities I received from this trip were mind-blowing. Everything in life should not be taken for granted. I realized (mentally and physically) there other people in this world besides Americans. There are people who are far less privileged than the poorest Americans. This trip also inspired me to travel more. While studying abroad, I visited various medical schools and I would like to attend medical school there but your degree would not be sufficient enough for America.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Everything was great. The trip met my expectation and then some. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything was great. The trip met my expectation and then some. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing arrangement was very secure and I most had to buy toiletries after I ran out. |
| * Food: |
The cuisine there was excellent. Accommodated for my pork-less diet. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The most memorable activities were visiting the Indian Ocean, touring Sterkfontein caves, and visiting the various museums and universities. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The lodges we stayed in were much secured. There were healthcare places in the vicinity in case of emergency. The healthcare providers were a lot cheaper in the foreign country. There weren't any vaccines required for the trip. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring enough money for a month including souvenir, food, and other expenses. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Students, pack various types of clothing because the temperature changes once you travel to other cities. Bring enough money for a month including souvenir, food, and other expenses. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
African American Literature |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Dr. Irby |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Very interesting course. The class dicussed 5 easy-read novels. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | N/A |
