Incredible Experience Beyond my Expectations Past Review

By (University of California - San Diego / UCSD) - abroad from 07/01/2017 to 08/05/2017 with

UC San Diego Global Seminars: Cape Town - Change in Modern South Africa

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This trip was absolutely worthwhile.

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.

I learned a ton about Cape Town and South Africa. The courses themselves were not very difficult but supplemented our excursions very well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Amazing staff at ISA! Made us feel so welcome, to the point that they invited us to their homes. I think about them every day.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great hotel staff

* Food:

I don’t have any dietary restrictions but I am a picky eater, and I had no issue with finding something I liked to eat. Nobody on the trip had any food-related illnesses.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I don’t think I stayed long enough to stop feeling a little nervous about potential misunderstandings with locals, but I generally felt very comfortable.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Nobody on the trip needed any formal healthcare services but we were informed of how to get help if need be. There was a pharmacy down the street if we needed over-the-counter medicine.

* Safety:

We were warned well in advance of potential safety hazards and I never felt truly unsafe. There was an incident (which I was not present for) where a homeless man was upset at not being given any change, but nothing ever came of it and no one was harmed.

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)

On average I spent about $120 per week, but I could have easily spent less if I wanted to. A great breakfast was provided by the hotel every day. There was no place for us to cook our own meals but we there ere two grocery stores within walking distance.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The grocery stores have a section where they serve pre-cooked food by weight- you can ask for X rand worth of rice, chicken, etc. It’s way cheaper than eating at a restaurant.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Beautiful sights
  • Amazing people
* What could be improved?
  • Would have loved to spend more time with locals my age
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If you’re going to hike Table Mountain, know which route you plan to take and wear hiking shoes!