Experiential learning in Botswana Past Review
By Sophie B (Psychology and HSSP, Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/26/2014 to 07/10/2014 with
CIEE: Gaborone - Community Public Health
I learned a lot about public health care and the challenges that accompany providing healthcare to a large population. I learned about the positive and negative effects of urbanization. I also learned a lot about cultural differences and what it felt like to stand out so much in a new culture. I think I became a little bit more independent as well.
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. |
Classes were not rigorous, but the majority of learning was experiential through the clinical experience and living in the city. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in a homestay was wonderful and I had a great home. Living in the city was the best choice to have a true cultural experience. |
| * Food: |
Food was good, even for a vegetarian. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The local culture is not usually very accepting of American tourists, and you will often feel like you stand out very much. However, living in a homestay really helped me feel a part of the culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
For a community health program I thought more precautions would have been taken to keep students protected in clinics. There was a doctor we could see if needed but we needed to travel to another town on our own to see her. |
| * Safety: |
Gaborone is a relatively safe city but you really can't be out on your own at night. Ciee gives you lots of independence which is great but they only taught about safety a week after homestay students had been navigating the city on their own. |
| 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) |
I felt that we ended up being responsible for more than I expected, but I was still able to keep to my budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 (more during travel) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan travel in advance so you can budget for visas, accommodations, etc. |
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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None in Setswana |
| 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? | Speak it with locals! |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The program is a lot of group work and I wish I would have known that before as I don't really enjoy group work. |
