Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

amazing experience in a spectacular area of the world Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/23/2019 to 11/30/2019 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I feel like I learned to be more independent and make my own decisions. I also learned a lot of what it would be like to be an ecologist.

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.

* 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?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Definitely a one in a lifetime experience in an area that I definitely want to return to some day.

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? 30 dollars at most
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? eat the food that is served to you

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

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • wildlife
  • relationship with professors
  • location
* What could be improved?
  • more details in course manual
  • more unstructured time
  • more spread out work load
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew what the work schedule would look like throughout the semester in more detail.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

South African Ecosystems and Diversity
Course Department: Ecology
Instructor: Lisa Nupen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: We were challenged by carrying out large research projects in the field in South African savanna and fynbos ecosystems. The teacher was well prepared for both lectures and field work. Participation was at a different time interval that was more fluid that at my home university. Were were mostly assessed by research papers and an exam. in addition we had a final project.
Credit Transfer Issues: