TIME OF MY LIFE Past Review
By Cristina L (Political Science and Government., Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/24/2012 to 06/09/2012 with
CIEE: Cape Town - Arts and Sciences
In short, I learned more about myself and my love for independence and exploration. I spent a good deal of time exploring on my own. I was also thrilled to study in a place so naturally beautiful. I have a newfound appreciation for Mother Nature.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Both the academic rigor and accessibility to professors was very similar to Wellesley, as I opted for the most advanced level of courses possible at the undergraduate level. I was very, very pleased with my academic experience. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very responsive to my questions in a timely fashion |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was housed in a very comfortable, adequate house with twelve other Americans. We all had plenty of space and our own rooms. |
* Food: |
I cooked for myself most of the time... |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As most Americans need to do in any country, you must make an effort to immerse yourself -- make friends, explore. Simply being from America does not make you friends. Put yourself out there. I returned from abroad having made many more American friends than I did South African friends. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My program was very helpful in suggesting places to go and there was a very helpful clinic around the block from me. |
* Safety: |
Make sure you are aware of your surroundings and always traveling in groups at night. My safety never once felt compromised during the day, but I did not dare test the limits of my independence at night. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Maintaining a budget was definitely feasible, but I had brought extra money with the purpose of spending it on good meals and exploration through the city. However, Cape Town is not a difficult place to maintain a budget. |
* Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
* Was food included in your program cost? | No |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 250 |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I suggest spending all that you can. Do not miss out on a thing if you can help it. Cape Town was a perfect place to spend some of the money I have been saving. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I knew that meeting foreigners and really establishing lasting connections with the locals was going to be more difficult and I needed to put more effort into it. |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
Policy and Administration |
Course Department: | Political Studies |
Instructor: | Raenette Taljard |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | This course was my most challenging course abroad, as the amount of reading was overwhelming. However, it taught me how to sift quickly through many articles and determine what was important and what wasn't -- an excellent skill to acquire! |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Unknown as of right now |
Course Name/Rating: |
Economies of Feasts and Economies of Famine |
Course Department: | Economic History |
Instructor: | Anne Mager |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | The course was challenging, but the professor was very accessible and offered all the tools to succeed. This course also taught me to become a much more clear, overall better writer. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Unknown as of now |
Course Name/Rating: |
Shakespeare and Company |
Course Department: | Language and Literature |
Instructor: | Professor Nigel Bakker |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | Various professors presented on their areas of specialty and I found them ALL very interesting and engaging. I especially recommend Nigel Bakker as a section professor. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |