Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The most eye-opening experience of my life Past Review

By (African Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/25/2016 to 12/08/2016 with

SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - Multiculturalism and Human Rights

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a deeper understanding to how interconnected the world is and how powerful the United States is in influencing the well-being of other nations. I found myself in situations where South Africans were displaying all they knew about America's society, culture and values and I could not reciprocate this knowledge about their society, culture or values. In fact, I was there to learn about such things from them. I began to feel guilty because I realized the amount of power the US has as a nation and how much privilege I was exercising in being able to get access to another country to learn about their way of life. This was an incredible lesson for me because I have always been interested in social justice work. Going to South Africa opened my eyes and mind to the fact that social justice should be a global concern. Given the power of the nation to which I belong, I now feel it is my duty to use my privilege as an American to do good on a more global front.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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

In completing this program, i have developed a loving respect for South Africa's history and culture. I feel as if I was so ignorant when i arrived and in living there with various host families, learning different languages and meeting new people, I find myself longing to go back. Now knowing what I know about the country of South Africa, I would love to go back so I can learn about the social and historical contexts from a more informed place.

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? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Updating my budget weekly really help me keep in mind how much I already spent and how much I was willing to spend moving forward. Keep a list items you know you want to buy and estimate the cost of each item, that way you can budget out a certain amount for those items. i did this with gifts for my friends and family.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
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? Practicing the language throughout the day really help cement most Xhosa phrases into my brain. I would greet everyone and ask how they were doing in Xhosa. Whenever the students and I would have certain conversations and we realized we knew how to say certain things in Xhosa, we would repeat the conversation in Xhosa.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • Hands-On Experience
  • The Option to do a Creative Independent Study
* What could be improved?
  • Granting students a bit more free time
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have realized the urban feeling of Cape Town. I had packed with the belief that we would be doing more active outings so I had packed less of the clothes I actually enjoy wearing on a day to day basis. I would have liked to bring more dresses or cute tops for the days in which we were just going to class or other outings

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'