Great immersive experience with fun excursions and passionate professors January 09, 2025
By A student (Political Science and Sociology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/30/2024 to 12/12/2024 with
SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - International Relations in the Global South
It was definitely worthwhile because I gained a new perspective on political theories and the way we look at international relations, and I also gained a sense of fulfillment from learning about another culture and getting the true abroad experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The city of Durban is generally safe if you have common sense and are aware of your surroundings/belongings, but I would advise other people of being careful about the valuables that you bring with you to crowded parts of the city, and women especially to be wary of going places alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would definitely do the same program because everyone was very interested in teaching about South Africa and we had great guest lecturers who were very excited about what they do. I feel like I learned a lot about political theory and international relations, as well as South African culture and tradition. |
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? | At the beginning of the program it was around $20 USD per week and at the end (when paying rent for independent housing) it was about $100 per week |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | It was a new language to me |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It’s okay to mess up and make mistakes because it’s part of the learning process |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
