Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Transformative and Boundary-Pushing Past Review

By (Sociology., Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/08/2014 to 11/14/2014 with

CIEE: Cape Town - Service Learning

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I became much more independent and focused my interests. It was beyond worthwhile.

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?

* 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

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The staff
  • the area
  • the diversity
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with UCT campus life
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? N/A

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Poverty and Development
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Suzall Timm
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was very challenging. There was a lot of dense reading. The teacher was very knowledgeable. The work load of this class was about the same as a class at Middlebury. We had a mix of papers, response papers, presentations, and discussion.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Xhosa
Course Department: Language
Instructor: Tandeka Ndiki
Instruction Language: English/Xhosa
Comments: The course was challenging because it was a beginning language. The teacher was very knowledgable and well prepared. It was about the same work load as a Middlebury course. We had tests, short responses, oral exams, and presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Community Partnership and Engagement
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Quinton Redcliffe
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Yes, it was challenging, but probably not to the same level as Middlebury. The teacher was very enthusiastic and prepared. Our assessments were mostly papers and discussion.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Social Research Methods
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Bradley Rink
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging and I learned a lot. The teacher was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable. We had papers, presentations, and discussions.
Credit Transfer Issues: