Amazing Past Review
By Analee Serena (University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 01/29/2018 to 06/16/2018 with
IES Abroad: Cape Town - University of Cape Town
I gained a better understanding of the world than I had previously known before going to South Africa.
Review Photos
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. |
If you like to be challenged, University of Cape Town is the place for you. Education system in Cape Town forces you to go outside of your comfort zone and look at the world in a totally new, refreshing way. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff at IES Cape Town were unbelievable. Looking back, I am so happy to have gone abroad with a program. They were able to help every step of the way! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
If you are a foodie (like I am), Cape Town is the place for you! SO many amazing options for food. I have had the best gnocchi and pizza of my life in Cape Town. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The most amazing, friendly people. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
IES Abroad made scheduling appointments super easy for students! |
| * Safety: |
Always be diligent. My friends an I would not bring our cellphones or many valuables out at night. On one of the first few days you are able to buy a back up phone (other than your regular one used at home) and get a South African phone number. As tourists and students we are targeted, but that is in any major global city. The good definitely outweighed the "bad". |
| 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I could grocery shop comfortably with 30-40 US dollars weekly. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Set a month to month budget plan while you are abroad! Expect to use most money during the first month when school has not started yet and you have a lot of free time. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
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? | The food in Cape Town are all fresh so don't go overboard with grocery shopping your first time! :) |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
