Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

South Africa Study Abroad Program Past Review

By (Biology, General., Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/25/2013 to 05/03/2013 with

Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): South Africa - African Ecology and Conservation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely a worthwhile experience. I never would have been able to conduct research in Africa if I had not participated in this program. I saw so many amazing things.

Review Photos

Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): South Africa - African Ecology and Conservation Photo Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): South Africa - African Ecology and Conservation Photo Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): South Africa - African Ecology and Conservation Photo

Personal Information

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.

Comparable to a Middlebury workload.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We were fairly isolated, and only spent limited time in urban centers and in the homestay.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The portions of the program while in Cape Town and Johannesburg were much more dangerous than the time we spent actually in the national park.

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)

The program more or less paid for everything, other than when we had our spring break.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $10
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It may be worthwhile to buy a modem for internet access - using the internet cafes can be pricey, but the modem service is also pretty unreliable. I didn't feel the need to buy a phone either- I just bought phone cards to use at a pay phone.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Relaxed atmosphere
  • Close bonds with the staff
  • Various field projects
* What could be improved?
  • Access to communication
  • More integration into local culture
  • More opportunity to be alone
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The program made it sound like we would have much greater access to internet and phones than we actually did.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Conservation and Protected Land Management
Course Department: Environmental Science/Biology
Instructor: Numerous
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

South African Ecosystems
Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Gareth Hempson
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Field Research Skills
Course Department: Biology
Instructor: Donovan Tye and Gareth Hempson
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

South African History Through Culture
Course Department: History
Instructor: David Bunn
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Extremely interesting class - wish it had been for more of the course.
Credit Transfer Issues: