Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I LOVED SOUTH AFRICA AND WOULD MAKE THE DECISION TO GO THERE ALL OVER AGAIN. Past Review

By (Politics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 07/04/2019 to 11/17/2019 with

CIEE: Cape Town - Arts and Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
All the way worthwhile

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.

Courses were very different from my home university in terms of class size and structure but content was rigourous and engaging.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was comfortable and in a great area.

* Food:

Food was AMAZING and great prices!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The people and culture we're great, I felt right at home immediately

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

South Africa was beautiful. I don't think I could have picked another program that would have given me the same personal growth and learning experience that CapeTown

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)

I lived off of about 150 a week, which included several ubers, nights out, groceries, and outings.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30 a week on groceries
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget before you get there, I didn't until 3 weeks after.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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?
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • CIEE housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Budgeting