South Africa Study Abroad Past Review
By Alexandria A (Visual and Dramatic Arts, Rice University) for
AIFS: Stellenbosch - Study Abroad or Service Learning at Stellenbosch University
It was a life changing experience. I would not trade it for anything.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were fun. It seemed like i was never in class. Most classes only met once a week for two or three hours. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
we had two people because one person went on maternity leave, so things were kind of different. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Academia which is an apartment style dorms. <br /><br /> I did have a small bug issue with my first apartment and then i was moved to a second one. |
| * Food: |
Some of the best food i have had in my life. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
South Africa is a place to have fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt that I was in danger. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | about 20 dollars a week on food. The main cost went to buy minutes for the prepaid cell phone. I used skype to call home. I didn't have to buy any books for class. All the books I needed were in the library. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I learned Xhosa and had fun learning it, I surrounded myself with Xhosa and Zulu friends, and choose to have local friends versus American friends, so I would adapt to and learn the language and culture. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be part of the culture, go in as a person not as a visitor |
