The Best Decision and Experience of my life Past Review

By Shelby Willburn (West Texas A&M University) - abroad from 02/27/2017 to 07/15/2017 with

ISA Study Abroad in Cape Town, South Africa

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

I learned how to live frugally and to live life out of my comfort zone. This experience was more than worthwhile. South Africa stole my heart and I cannot wait to visit/live there soon.

Review Photos

ISA Study Abroad in Cape Town, South Africa 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.	The classes and coursework at UCT are extremely difficult. My experience with the professors were negative in almost every case.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	AMAZING!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The housing was great and I felt safe. However, towards the end of the program there was a lot of crime happening near the housing.
* Food:	I loved the local food.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I felt very integrated socially and culturally.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I didn't have any issues, however when I had friends that got sick they were very well and quickly taken care of.
* Safety:	In Cape Town you just have to be careful and smart. Don't walk with your phone in your hand EVER. Don't walk alone on in areas you don't know or know aren't safe.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes The staff was INCREDIBLE the whole way.

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)	You can live frugally in South Africa. I chose to go a lot of places and try a lot of things which included quite a few Uber's and became expensive.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$110-125
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	I wish I would've lowered my weekly budget in the beginning because I started it at $240 a week then by the end of my program was at $80 a week. This is because I would decide to go on tours to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia which weren't in my previous budgets. It I would've make my first budget less I wouldn't have had to lower it so much in the end. Be smart with your money in the beginning so in the end you aren't stressing over it.

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	International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
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?	Location Low cost of living Staff
* What could be improved?	Housing/location Wifi
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I would've allotted more money for Uber's.

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 Urbanite A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	FTX2024F
Course Department:	Business
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was too rigorous for a new student at UCT.. when I asked for help it was not given.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Have like 10-15 possible classes to take and get the pre-approved. This way you can look at what classes will be more bearable instead of the 4 you have picked out and get stuck with.