Best Semester in Cape Town ! Past Review

By (Villanova University) - abroad from 07/30/2019 to 12/01/2019 with

IES Abroad: Cape Town - Health, Culture & Development

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
So much exposure on a completely different health care system, culture, and history. I wouldn't change any of it for the world.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Cape Town - Health, Culture & Development Photo

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.

Required work but the content was so interesting it didn't ever feel like a hassle. I really loved school which is something I wasn't expecting.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Best staff in the world! Loved them all the individual relationships we had.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This program felt very unique and different regarding exposure. I don't think any other program could top this !

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Our insurance covered absolutely everything! Going to the doctor was low-stress.

* Safety:

We had to prepare ourselves given the city itself, but if you follow directions there will be no problem !

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The best semester that really confirmed my interest in Global Health. I'd do this program again in a heartbeat.

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)

Living in Cape Town is significantly cheaper than the U.S. but money still adds up!

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? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The city and adventure
  • The in-depth view of Global Health
* What could be improved?
  • More free time for individual travel
  • More time after exams to say bye to the city
  • integration with locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How many hours a week we spent in the same classroom - which I would do over again but it might be something to liven up the coursework.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.