Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging and FUN! Past Review

By (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 06/11/2017 to 07/21/2017 with

Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in South Africa / EESA

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Here are a few things I learned from the experience: 1. It is not enough to stop at political freedom and basic human rights - economic empowerment must follow. 2. Empathy must be employed when designing solutions to complex world problems. 3. On the ground, businesses are a series of processes - everything is interconnected. 4. Storytelling and shared language are powerful tools to transcend cultural differences. 5. Access to education is foundational to changing historical outcomes. 6. It is better to pay for experiences than objects. 7. Never be afraid to explore, take risks, and try new things. 8. A good meal paired with an interesting conversation makes for a great night. 9. True friends are the most invaluable things in the world. 10. Ubuntu is my new favorite word. It means, "I am because we are."

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.

EESA is ridiculously rigorous, and all participants need to be ready to work. It is a program full of fun, but make no mistake; students are here to help the entrepreneurs.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Almost all administration and logistics went off without a hitch - I was impressed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorms are definitely not the best, but they are doable. By creating friendships and building a community, we turned the residence into a place of bonding. All of us referred to it as "home" by the time we were done with the program.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Full integration was absolutely necessary to deliver appropriate solutions to business problems in the region. However, this is not hard to achieve when one is thrown into the townships to work on a daily basis and has South African teammates to refer to and work with.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

It was definitely difficult to keep up with the program costs. I ended up spending much more in-country than I anticipated. It was necessary if one wanted to participate with all the other students on a consistent basis when it came to entertainment, meals, etc.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $225
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save more than the program description online tells you too - you will absolutely thank yourself!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Peer Relationships
  • Host City
  • Meaningful Work
* What could be improved?
  • Pre-Departure Process
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It would be even more work than I expected, and I would often be frustrated by the immense challenge the experience posed. The students on the trip would become your best friends, and I would come to create a South African family.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!