Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Summer in Botswana Past Review

By (International and Global Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/22/2015 to 07/24/2015 with

CIEE: Gaborone - Summer Community Public Health

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Because the program was very poorly directed and run, my peers and I had to figure out how to make the experience worthwhile on our own. We planned our own trips and excursions and had the most amazing time with things we planned ourselves.

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

The on site administration was very poor, unprofessional and inaccessible to students. It was universally felt that they did not have our best interests at heart.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Very important to like Beef and starches.... very few options for people with food sensitivities

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Use the same caution you would in any US city.

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)

you can live on $50 a week quite easily

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Four semesters of Spanish - four years of French in high school
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The classes were wonderful as were the professors
  • The city was a great place to be and study
* What could be improved?
  • Organization
  • Professionalism of the Directors
  • Transparency of information to the students during the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had a better understanding of the culture of Botswana before I left. Read up it will help you transition! However, most of it you have to live to understand.

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.