Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A look at healthcare in Botswana Past Review

By (Nursing., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 05/26/2014 to 07/11/2014 with

CIEE: Gaborone - Summer Community Public Health

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much from my time in Botswana, and I would highly recommend it. I loved my experience there.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program was a little disorganized at times.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a host family in Gaborone. I would highly recommend it!

* Food:

I did not really enjoy the local food

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated with the culture especially since I lived with a local family.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We spent a lot of time in clinics, yet it was not hands-on. The time spent in the clinics was strictly observational.

* Safety:

I always felt very safe.

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)

Everything was relatively cheap.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50

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

We were encouraged to practice our Setswana while living abroad. I enjoyed learning it.

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? n/a
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?
  • Getting to know the culture
  • The students on my program
  • Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Better organization
  • Shorter orientation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that we would only be observing in the clinics.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.