Research in South Africa was Incredibly Rewarding Past Review

By (Urban Studies/Affairs., Barnard College) for

SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - Multiculturalism and Human Rights

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Too much to explain, still looking for the words.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Learned a lot from my research, not so much from my classes I took while there.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administrator left for weeks at a time, which made many things very difficult.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housed by four different local families and then lived in my own apartment during the research period

* Food:

Giving too much food is cultural, and bit overwhelming

* 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

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cost of living will exceed the programs stipend, by a lot.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
  • Hotel
  • Apartment
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans