Past Review
By Elizabeth T (Biology, General., University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) for
Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): South Africa - African Ecology and Conservation
This program changed me for sure, and in some very good ways. I loved it so much and it definitely made me sure that field work is what I want to do in the future. It also helped me to become more confident in myself and more independent, helping me know that I can make friends and a new life for myself anywhere if I need to in the future. It helped me grow up in ways and understand more about life outside the little bubble I was used to, which I'm very grateful for.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | n/a |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teaching methods, and especially the field-based style of the program taught me so much more in much less time about what I was learning and how to apply it later in life |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
This program was really well done,and it was nice because the director of the program was also one of our professors who we saw everyday. He was always trying to do whatever he could to help us and my expectations were definitely exceeded. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We moved around as a group of 25-30 and stayed in different living quarters depending on where we were in the country, from tourist cabins to backpackers, but they were all very nice <br /><br /> Everywhere we stayed was fantastic. The times we would split up between two big rooms with lots of people in each could be crazy at times but it was all fine. |
| * Food: |
the food was prepared for us by a group who traveled around with us and it was always very good |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I can't narrow it down, really all of it was a huge blast, from playing soccer together to going rafting together, watching rugby together, and going to museums to learn about the things like Apartheid and the cradle of humankind. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
be careful when you go out clubbing, especially with Afrikaaners |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | almost nothing for food, we were provided with food on our program. the only money, except during spring break, was spent on extra snacks, alcohol, and phone cards/cell phone airtime. I would probably say on average about R250 a week, or about $35 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I didn't buy a lot of alcohol but I know that most of the people on the trip did because it was custom in South Africa to have a beer almost every night as the sun went down.Calling cards and cell phones are both good ways to communicate at home, especially SMSing (texting) on the cell phones |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | do it. if you love the outdoors, biology, ecology, or any of that and have ever thought it would be cool to work outside in the field this is definitely the right program. Don't be afraid to get dirty and for sure take every opportunity you can to really experience life, not just do schoolwork while you are there |
