Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Exploring Cape Town July 20, 2022

By (Gender Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/01/2022 to 06/11/2022 with

CIEE: Cape Town - Arts and Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
it was worthwhile. I gained an understanding of African epistemologies

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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

I was able to expand my academic thinking and gain new perspectives

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? no

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced Chinese
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? speak with native speakers

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • People
  • Professors
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Transport
  • Communication
  • Safety
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? n/a

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Medical Anthropology
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor: Susan Levine
Instruction Language: English
Comments: it was a challenging yet rewarding class. the professor was knowledgable and prepared. I participated as much as I do at my home institution during tutorial sessions, but not as much during lectures which were big classes. I was assessed through essays, participation, and reflections
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

African Political Thought
Course Department: African Studies
Instructor: That Thipe
Instruction Language: English
Comments: it was a challenging yet rewarding class. the professor was knowledgable and prepared. this was an online course, so lectures were pre-recorded, but I got the opportunity to participate during tutorial sessions. I was assessed through essays
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

Culture and Social Life
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Elena Moore
Instruction Language: English
Comments: it was a challenging yet rewarding class. the professor was knowledgable and prepared. I participated as much as I do at my home institution. I was assessed through essays and participation
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

Xhosa Communication
Course Department: African Languages
Instructor: Tessa Dowling
Instruction Language: English
Comments: it was a challenging yet rewarding class. the professor was knowledgable and prepared. I participated as much as I do at my home institution. I was assessed through quizzes, oral exams and a final exam
Credit Transfer Issues: no