New Perspectives and Incredible Experiences March 08, 2025
By Elise B (International Affairs, George Washington University) - abroad from 08/30/2024 to 12/12/2024 with
SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - International Relations in the Global South
You gain a Global South perspective of International Relations. You learn about the experiences of different groups of people in the country and learn about Apartheid history and how it shapes its global relations today.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
They value experiential learning, so there's an even mix of lectures and field trips to various cultural, economic, or political sites. You learn a lot about the social and political history of the country and region. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything is figured out for you, the only hard part is obtaining your visa to go beforehand. During the program they give you weekly schedules of your classes and activities. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lots of different homestays and individual accommodations. It gives you new perspectives of life for different people in South Africa, but be ready to move around a lot. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The most integration came from homestays. Otherwise, you spend a majority of the time with your cohort. I recommend making an effort to meet different people in the city outside of the program schedule. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Accessible doctor near the program office. Malaria prophylaxis pills needed for excursion to Mozambique. Some optional but no mandatory vaccines you need on top of what you probably already have. |
| * Safety: |
No incidents happened in my experience, but you have to use all of your "common sense" safety tips to avoid petty theft. Stay in groups and take ubers instead of walking at night. |
| 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) |
The exchange rate makes costs cheaper than in the US. You receive a weekly stipend for meals. |
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 |
Rural homestay is where you use your isiZulu skills the most in my experience. |
| 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? | none |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice with your homestay families and use greetings when out and about. |
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? | The program leads are very attentive to your needs and will help you if there are any issues. I also recommend taking notes during site visits (i.e. NGOs, political offices) to make them more worthwhile. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
