Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/22/2013 to 06/08/2013 with

CIEE: Cape Town - Summer Community Development and Social Justice: Theory + Practice

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
South Africa is completely different from home. You need to be very open to new things to go on this program.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The grading system at UCT is very different than home and very hard.

* 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:

A lot of people had stuff stolen and there were a few people that got mugged. You just really need to be aware of your things and careful.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $50 for transportation and eating out.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • Scenary
  • People
  • Exchange rate
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Although most of the program is in the summer, I wish I was told to bring warm clothes as well. It changed seasons towards the end of the trip and all of us had brought summer clothes. The fall/rain in South Africa is hectic.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.