Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Cape Town is an incredible place to learn, explore and grow. Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/01/2018 to 06/15/2018 with

CIEE: Cape Town - Service Learning

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I not only learned a lot about South Africa, but through living in a different culture and with new people, I learned a lot more about myself and my own values.

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

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? 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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A

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 service component
  • There is always something fun and new to explore in Cape Town
  • My friends!
* What could be improved?
  • Curriculum: The courses are unnecessarily rigorous and time consuming and often repetitive
  • Engagement with other UCT students
  • Aligning the service learning schedule with the arts and sciences program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about the differences between the service learning program and the arts and sciences program.