The best, hardest experience of my life Past Review
By Paige L (Presbyterian College) - abroad from 01/16/2013 to 05/17/2013 with
University of Botswana: Gaborone - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes, so many things went wrong and I learned so much from all of it. I learned patience, and different views of different people. I learned to not stress the small stuff. I learned that love is most important.
Review Photos
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. |
Very different education system, unfair grading, challenging |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The ISEP coordinator quit a week prior to classes starting, so the international office worked together to carry the weight and truly did the best they could with the resources they had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
At first, got moved around multiple times with no set place to go, but once I got settled in a dorm, the living arrangements were nice |
| * Food: |
Very repetitive meals, but good and filling |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Although my race was different and it was obvious I was a foreigner, I felt very accepted by the culture |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not personally have any health problems while abroad, but I witnessed many people who did and the health care system needs some work. People were often misdiagnosed and not quick or efficient |
| * Safety: |
I had an issue with theft, but that did not affect my time abroad. I never personally felt that my life was in danger but I would advise future students to lock up ALL of their belongings, or to keep expensive items on them at all times |
| 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? | around $75 or $80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take enough money out of the atm for 2 weeks and don't let yourself go over that. Plan ahead |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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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| 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? | What classes to take |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
