Happiness abroad Past Review
By Shayna Love (Lehigh University) - abroad from 01/23/2016 to 06/11/2016 with
IES Abroad: Cape Town - University of Cape Town
Writing down everything I gained from this experience would be long enough to put into a book. To put it into a few words, I learned about my interests, facing fears, and of a culture so entirely different from what I grew up being exposed to. It was the most worthwhile experience I think I'll ever have.
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. |
Classes offered directly through the program were a bit dry, but relevant to the country's culture. Being able to take classes at UCT gave me a lot of exposure to life in South Africa. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
So incredibly kind, helpful and amazing! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved living in an apartment close to campus.. it was clean and homey! |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Cape Town is known to be a bit unsafe, but as long as you use caution, everything will always be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IES made my abroad experience easy. I felt comfortable and informed with resources easily available to me. The city is incredible and like no other - I recommend it to everyone and would go back in an instant. |
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) |
The exchange rate was very much in our favor, but expenses like food and transport quickly add up. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | How lucky I was to be spending six months in paradise |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
