Very Necessary Past Review

By (PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES., Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/25/2012 to 12/07/2012 with

CIEE: Gaborone - Arts and Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A different cultural perspective, that is exactly what I asked for and what I got.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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:

I never felt unsafe, but I did always keep my guard up. Never get too comfortable. Never travel with your bank cards or ALL of your cash in the event that you are targeted for robbery.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

This is on a case by case basis. Food at the University of Botswana is about $2 USD per meal. If you chose to eat off campus, you could spend up to around $15 USD for a meal. Personal expenses were similarly priced to the US.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $115
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget for extra travel early on.

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? Intermediate
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Setswana is a pretty simple language to learn if you are dedicated.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Freedom
  • Excursions
  • Staff
* What could be improved?
  • Better Pre-departure Prep
  • Better programing for Arts and Science
  • The Cost
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You will need patience, but you will experience things you will never dream of.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Setswana Culture and Language Practicum

Course Department: CIEE
Instructor: Nhati, Kyle Turk
Instruction Language: Setswana/ English
Comments: This course was the hands on learning part of being there. It included both Setswana language work as well as frequent cultural excursions.
Credit Transfer Issues: