Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

cant talk about my experience without getting emotional; life changing Past Review

By (Denison University) - abroad from 07/10/2018 to 12/01/2018 with

Arcadia: Cape Town - University of Cape Town

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained so much knowledge about the city itself, the culture, the experiences, the ways of life that varies across the population in many ways. Because our program was so long (5 months instead of 3/3.5 like some) I felt like I was fully immersed and got to know everything about cape town (if thats even possible), which I think makes it all the more special. even though five months seemed daunting at the beginning when it was over, it felt like the time had flown by

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

at this point in my college education, as a junior I am ready to have my own room and own space, I shared a room with another program participant. which went fine but would have preferred my own space

* Food:

lots of amazing food and restaurants to check out, not a huge variety from foods you can find in the united states

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got really sick over spring break and had to go to the emergency doctor, it was quick and easy, I got fluids and a lot of medications, I did not have my insurance card on me since I was traveling but everything was very cheap in comparison and was able to reclaim with insurance later

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe and never had any incidences involving safety, however crime rates are high. many of my friends lost phones wallets etc. when walking outside don't have anything in your hands, have it all in a safe purse or front pockets for guys and still be wary of your surroundings

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

there was not one second that I wished I had chosen to go somewhere else. even with many of my friends from my homeschool traveling around Europe and visiting each other. I never had any regret or wished that I was there with them. cape town is truly one of the greatest places in the world and I am so glad that I stepped outside of my comfort zone and decided to go somewhere that wasn't typically popular or heard of.

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)

in comparison, everything in cape town seems so much cheaper than the United States, which was good and bad. it definitely was easier to go out for food and drinks, but because the assumptions was that everything was cheap spending could get out of control without realizing it, especially when you are abroad and want to be experiencing everything you can

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around $150/200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? try to do a big grocery run every two weeks, and be smart about grocery shopping. get food and ingredients to make dinner and to have snacks to eliminate eating out too often

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • how many opportunities there were
  • our program set up a wide range of excursions
* What could be improved?
  • the communication from the arcadia office was pretty poor
  • we often did not know important information that we needed to know in the proper time
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? there is so much to do in cape town, that even five months wasn't enough. don't spend a second hanging at home and not doing anything. seize every moment (cheesy I know but its true)

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.