Past Review

By Zenobia B (Political Science and Government., Carnegie Mellon University) for

ISA Study Abroad in Cape Town, South Africa

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It changed the types of law school I wanted to apply to and it made me aware of how important it is to be around intellectual black people and what that does to the learning environment.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	University of Cape Town
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Other than explaining to us why we needed to take the South African college assessment test, they did everything very well.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The neighborhood was relatively safe and was close to the markets in the area. I felt comfortable walking around my neighborhood. Housing was great and the cleaning was great as well.
* Food:	Eat everywhere
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I wish our trip to Robben Island actually was accomplished. All the planned trips were great, especially to the township areas.
* Safety:	I felt Cape Town was just as dangerous as any major city in America. I didnt get into the mindset that I was in a more dangerous environment, although I was totally aware of danger and dangerous situations (because being naive is more dangerous).
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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Great program. Our group was small but it meant we all knew one another.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Marketing
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	It was a challenge because I did not know that much about the South African demographics and other marketing strageties previously or presently used, so trying to come up with different ideas was hard. The information itself was also challenging and I definitely learned things that are universally applicable.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I recieved a C in the corse so I initially didnt get the units transfered. At my home institution I have to speak to many high faculty members to get my units and come up with asking them for varying ways to get my units transfered. I was very persistant in that effort.

Course Name/Rating:	African Dance
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	It was great, no complaints. It kept me active and I did truely appreciate the fact that we had to read and learn about African Dance as well as actually dance.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	African Literature
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The main section (all students) was interesting but not htat challenging. The smaller sections is where I became very interested in books. There was not too much linkage between the large and small sections, I feel that what we learned about "What is African Literature" wasnt explored directly in the small section.
Credit Transfer Issues: