Cultural Immersion in South Africa Past Review
By Grace S (International Relations And Global Studies, Providence College) - abroad from 01/26/2012 to 06/09/2012 with
CIEE: Cape Town - Service Learning
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely. I learned independence, how to break out from my comfort zone, the benefits of service work, and I met a ton of new friends, both American and African.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50$/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't blow it all during the first few weeks! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
While in Cape Town I learned Xhosa and Afrikaans, 2 of the 11 official languages in South Africa. My program did an excellent job encouraging us to practice using these languages in every day conversations. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 270 |
| 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? | Don't be embarrassed if you are unsure or think you have a poor accent. Languages get better with time! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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 had researched more of South African socio-political history prior to arriving in Cape Town. While there, I was educated on apartheid etc but it would have been nice if I had been more prepared. |
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